Adapted by Emer Kenny (Save Me Too) from Val McDermid’s novel The Distant Echo, the drama will follow a young Scottish female detective in the picturesque university town of St. Andrew’s.

While she may not be the type of unorthodox, slick copper who rises effortlessly through the ranks, the refreshingly normal Karen’s quick thinking and silver tongue lands her a promotion to Police Scotland’s Historical Cases Unit.

In her new unit, Karen is tasked with reopening a 25-year-old historical case that has recently become the subject of a provocative true crime podcast.

The unsolved crime involved the murder of teenage barmaid Rosie Duff back in 1995. Suspicion fell on the three drunken students who discovered her body, yet no one was ever charged.

Determined to find answers, DS Karen Pirie’s digging uncovers flaws in the initial investigation, forcing her into confrontation with the police officers involved in the original hunt for the killer.

Speaking on her connection to Val McDermid’s story, Emer 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.”

Karen Pirie will start filming in Scotland in the coming months.