With season one, we started filming just before Sarah Everard[‘s murder] happened, and the plotline was almost exactly the same situation. We couldn’t believe that a police officer had taken a woman off the street and murdered her.
Let’s talk about our obsession with true crime, seeing as your character becomes the subject of a true crime podcast – why do you think we have a fascination with something so morbid do you think?
I think for women, it’s because it could happen to us. It’s so closely related to our lives that it’s thrilling in a way. It’s too close for comfort and something to be aware and alert of. You internalise it a little bit.. I’ve watched stuff thinking that could happen to me, how do I stop that happening to me? What happens is so unbelievable, but it’s true. We are made to believe, and we have to accept stuff that we can’t believe. And it’s happening all the time.
What makes you feel empowered?
Honestly, being funny. Being able to tear someone down in a room makes me feel very powerful, or completely calling someone out in a funny way, often a guy who thinks he’s the funniest guy in the room – when he isn’t. I’m quicker. I don’t know where I’ve got it from. I think it’s growing up with two brothers and my mum and dad. They’re all funny, and we’re Scottish and dry. I watch people kind of trip over themselves to try and come back at me. And I can often really give it, which makes me feel powerful.
Girlhood Firsts
First woman whose career you looked up to
Can I give you two? Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie early in their careers. Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta, but also The Darjeeling Limited. Seeing a Wes Anderson film, I was like, “that’s the kind of films I want to do”. Wes Anderson aligned with my personality. And then Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
First celebrity crush
Leonardo DiCaprio, specifically Jack Dawson from Titanic.
First summer job
I worked at a cafe for about two minutes, and I was fired because I couldn’t carry the coffee my hands shaking. I used to live in New Zealand, and New Zealand coffee is sacred.
First piece of advice you remember getting
I remember my mum and dad telling me to stop working when you’re tired. I think as an actor, we’re often told it has to be hard work in order to graft and get somewhere. It’s quite healthy and helpful to know and learn when to stop. I also remember hearing Jodie Whittaker saying that the hard work doesn’t need to just be really hard. It can be enjoyable work as well.
Karen Pirie is available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX.