'Karen Pirie's Lauren Lyle to Star in Thriller 'The Ridge'
Lauren Lyle in 'The Ridge' key art
BBC Scotland
When a series that's been running for over a decade finally wraps up, it's always interesting to see where the stars go next. For example, as Outlander concludes, Caitríona Balfe is doing voice over work in fantasy shows and supporting roles in big budget films; Sam Hueghan is taking on contemporary roles in what should be sexy thrillers. Meanwhile their co-star, Lauren Lyle, is leaning even more into her Scottish roots, starring first in the adaptation of Karen Pirie, as the titular detective in Val McDermid's series of the same name, and now in The Ridge, a "Scottish-New Zealand" co-production.
Karen Pirie did modestly well when it arrived as a binge on BritBox in 2022, back when the streaming service was still co-owned by the BBC and ITV and marketed by neither; however the second season is expected to arrive in April 2025 (no firm date has been set) and with Brenda Blethlyn retiring from Vera, Karen Pirie is well positioned to fill that void. Lyle seems to be embracing the gritty crime genre, as The Ridge is also a series filled with atmospheric gloom; just filmed in New Zealand instead of Scotland, a Kiwi Noir cousin to McDermid's tartan noir.
Speaking on location (yes in New Zealand) at the start of the shoot, Lyle said: "I'm very excited to be bringing this strange, gothic, psychological thriller to life. Mia is such a fascinating character in a very weird world which is quite delicious to play. It feels like something very bad will play out.. in a good way!! New Zealand is also a second home to me so it's a joy to be back."
Jay Ryan and Lauren Lyle mark the start of filming for 'The Ridge'
BBC Scotland
Here's the six-part series' synopsis:
The Ridge follows Mia, who is fleeing addiction and leaving behind a professional life in tatters in Scotland. She accepts a wedding invitation from her estranged sister in New Zealand – only to find the would-be-bride dead upon arrival. Caught up in grief and pulled by a dark attraction to her late-sister’s fiancé Ewan, Mia soon finds that familiarity among a small community breeds secrets and tensions, endangering the brittle fabric of the town itself.
Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie) stars as Mia, with New Zealand actor Jay Ryan (Top of the Lake) as Ewan.
Created by novelist Nora Chassler and producer David Murdoch, The Ridge was co-written with Alan Campbell, Kate McDermott and Jess Sayer. Directors Douglas Mackinnon (Good Omens) and Robyn Grace (Sweet Tooth) are sitting helming duties between them. The series’ executive producers include Jon Rutherford, Erik Pack, and Ivan Schneeberg & David Fortier for Boat Rocker.
The Ridge is currently filming on location between New Zealand and Scotland. The series is expected to arrive on the BBC by the end of 2025 or early 2026. No American distributor has been announced, but I'd say it's a toss up between BritBox and Acorn TV.
