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Karen Pirie: viewers have same complaint over new ITV drama

Warning, spoilers ahead for episode one 

karen pirie comp
Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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Karen Pirie is ITV's latest crime drama, and while the series - starring Outlander’s Lauren Lyle - got rave reviews from viewers, many were incredibly frustrated by the ad breaks that took place through the 120-minute runtime for the new show. 

MORE: Karen Pirie: Where you've seen star of new ITV drama Lauren Lyle before

Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: "Oh good, more adverts, I was in danger of getting immersed in the drama for a minute there #KarenPirie," while another person added: "Loving #KarenPirie direction writing casting and talent is fantastic but @ITV need to get a grip very quickly with the amount of ad breaks destroying any continuity or chance of getting involved." 

WATCH: Lauren Lyle leads the cast of new ITV drama Karen Pirie

A third person joked: "Can't believe how much murder mystery ITV are putting in-between these adverts." 

Despite the several ad breaks throughout the series, fans were full of praise for the storyline, which follows the reopening of a cold case after a podcast about the murder gains popularity. 

karen living room

What did you think of the episode?

Discussing the episode, one person wrote: "Well, #KarenPirie lived up to expectations, with the added bonus of the opening scene taking place just outside my #StAndrews student flat," while another person wrote: "#KarenPirie is perfect Sunday night viewing imo. Really cleverly adapted script with a surprising amount of warmth for a dark crime story. And the bumbag? Iconic." 

MORE: Ben Miller makes fresh comment about reprising Death in Paradise character

MORE: Karen Pirie: everything to know about ITV’s much-anticipated new crime drama

A third person wrote: "Unlike so many crime dramas, this feels so different and the acting and writing, everything feels like you're coming through the tv screen. Smashing." 

Speaking about the series, Lauren said: "When I read the whole briefing script, I was like, 'Oh, my God, I could actually get this and I think I might be quite good at it.' And, like the writing so funny, it's so relatable. And having Val's backbone of a story, and then to be brought forward to all the themes that we deal with today through humour was really special." 

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