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ITV has commissioned a drama series based on Val McDermid’s The Distant Echo (HarperCollins), following Karen Pirie’s cold case investigations and produced by World Productions, the team behind "Line of Duty".
Adapted by Emer Kenny, "Karen Pirie" is based on the first in McDermid’s series following the young Scottish female detective in St Andrew’s. Following her promotion to Police Scotland's Historic Cases Unit, Pirie is tasked with reopening the investigation into the murder of a teenage barmaid that has been the subject of a provocative true crime podcast.
Drama commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said: "Emer has brilliantly realised Val McDermid's iconic detective, Karen Pirie, and the rich crime stories Police Scotland's Historic Cases Unit investigate. We're thrilled to be working with Simon Heath and World Productions to bring such an exciting new series to the ITV audience."
McDermid added: "I'm sure this adaptation will bring Karen many new fans as well as delighting her existing ones. Karen and the Historic Cases Unit are in very safe hands."
Filming will take place in Scotland and details of casting will be revealed in the coming months.
Kenny said: "From the moment I read that Karen Pirie orders a Bacardi Breezer as her after-work drink (other brands of alco-pop are available) I knew that she was the detective for me. Val is the queen of crime for good reason and I’m honoured to be bringing her creation to a TV audience, especially for ITV which has been home to some of my favourite detective shows, from 'Broadchurch' to 'Prime Suspect'. Of course, I’m delighted to be working with World Productions again, who really know their way around a crime drama."