Lauren Lyle On The Ridge, Karen Pirie & Living A Life In Balance

You might know her best as Karen Pirie in the hit BBC detective drama of the same name, but Lauren Lyle has shaken off her good cop persona for a twisted new role in The Ridge. She stars as drug-addicted anaesthetist Mia, and becomes entangled in a murder investigation when her bride-to-be estranged sister turns up dead. We sat down with Lauren to find out more, plus hear all about staying grounded amid her busy career.

Q&A: Lauren Lyle On The Ridge

You are about to star in The Ridge – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

A drug addicted anaesthetist very much on the edge runs away to New Zealand to her estranged sister’s wedding and finds the bride to be dead upon arrival, so becomes embroiled in a small town, freaky, Succession-type old money family that have spooky secrets. And it all goes mad. 

You play Mia – how would you describe her, and what was it like playing her?

Mia is an addict and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. She becomes quite vengeful and is a very manipulative person which is so fun to play. She’s nothing like some of the good guys I’ve played before and can be quite evil. Which is delicious.

Lauren Lyle as Mia in The Ridge. (Great Southern Studios/Sinner Films/BBC Scotland/Sky New Zealand Originals)

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

I researched a lot into how anaesthetists can be the highest rate of medical professionals to become addicts as they have such close proximity to drugs: documentaries, reading, and I also spoke to a lot of addicts that have suffered and done some unimaginable things to get high. It was really useful to hear the lengths people can go to. It helped me justify why Mia ends up doing some of the things she does in the show. 

The Ridge is partly set in New Zealand. What was that like to shoot? Any standout filming locations?

Unreal. It’s the most breathtaking place and some of the best crew I’ve ever worked with. If I could take the whole AD department with me on each job I would. For an intense role, they really kept me laughing. Along with my make up and costume teams, we really bonded as I was the only Brit which was quite isolating. 

My stand out location would be the top of a small mountain at Bethells Beach, or our big old spooky house we used as Ewan’s grand family home.

What was the cast dynamic on set? Any memorable moments together?

Friday beers off the crew trucks will forever be one of my favourite memories of the shoot. I don’t want to spoil anything but the arguments and fight scenes on The Ridge were very fun. And very loud. 

What are you particularly excited for audiences to see?

There is a big turn and twist in episode 4; it was one of my favourite moments to shoot. You’ll have to keep tuning in to find out.

The Ridge comes soon after your second series of Karen Pirie which aired this summer to great reception. What was that like?

It’s been crazy! I feel like I’m just getting started and whenever I want to slow down it just all speeds up again. But me and Emer Kenny who wrote Karen always say to each other ‘we prayed for this’. 

Karen has become home to me, and I’m so attached to how much I love the show. I’m just thrilled everyone else is enjoying it. We’ve also opened up to a much wider audience this time and I’m getting recognised more, and younger audiences are really into it. It’s nice to know you’re not delusional in thinking your work is good.

What was it like to return to the role?

Honestly nerve wracking that it would be as much of a hit and also joyous. I struggled initially with wanting it to be exactly like series 1, because it felt so magic. It was my first time leading something as well as Covid just lifting, so we all went nuts and everyone was so happy to be there. So many parties. 

Series 2 settled into its own rhythm and I calmed into realising it was a new breath of fresh air and brand new story so leaned into that. Emer was also able to write with my voice in mind this time which was such a cool and unique experience knowing it was tailored to you. I just love being on set, and it’s a very happy set. We have ice cream trucks as treats and series 2 had a much better coffee culture, thank goodness. 

Lauren Lyle as Karen Pirie in series 2. (© ITV)

Any standout moments from series 2?

Going to Malta to shoot was amazing. I jumped in the sea every night after work and kept saying, ‘imagine this was your commute from work everyday’, and then realising it was!

Anything you can tease about the possibility of series 3?

If that fans want it, then we want it. 

You’ve also got Most Favoured coming up at Soho Theatre this winter. What can you tell us about that?

I’m so excited to be back on stage. It’s a David Ireland play and David basically writes about all the things that we aren’t really allowed to say. It’s so so funny and a bit dark with brilliant twists. I’m really excited for that moment I cry on stage and have to get myself out of it with Alex my co star. I think that’s what it feels like to really be alive.

Have rehearsals started yet? 

Not yet! But I’m prepping. I want to be a little nerdy theatre freak like I used to be. 

How are you preparing for the role? Does your process differ to screen roles? 

As the winter is hunkering down, so am I. Hunkering into the script. I think with theatre you just need to be less rehearsed going into rehearsals so that you can find a million different ways of doing the play, then decide what versions we want to keep. Alex Arnold, my counter part, is such a free and funny actor so I want to wait and see what he brings and how we dance together. Mary is a character that goes out, has a mission, dates, and soaks in the depths of life. So I guess that’s also all the things I’ve been doing.

You’ve also recently starred in Toxic Town, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 and you have the Outlander finale coming up – a busy time! What has that all been like?

Insane! Last year I became burnt out after Karen Pirie series 2, Pan Am and Outlander because I shot them all back to back and some at the same time. I said I didn’t want to work for a while… And then The Ridge came up and I jetted off to New Zealand for months. It was amazing but by the end I was a shell of a person. I’m really sociable and I missed my mates, so I’ve spent this summer for the first time in years going to sunny beaches and parties, cooking new recipes, really being outside in the sun, seeking all the joy. Resting my brain from work, snuggling my cat, moving my furniture around, buying art and getting into Martinis. 

As much as the seasons have changed and I was terrified of winter, I’m now fully leaning in to warm jumpers and cosy pubs. Work wise, it’s all kicked up massively again, so I’m trying to take it in my stride and realise how much I’ve always wanted a life like this. I feel really lucky and I’m really grateful – I don’t want it to stop.

Lauren Lyle as Dani & Rory Kinnear as Des in Toxic Town. (Ben Blackall/Netflix © 2024)

What do you do to stay grounded and centered in your own time away from work amidst all the busyness?

Being near water. I’m really into a cold plunge and sauna. If this a body of water, I’m in it. Or a patch of grass, my shoes are off and I’m feeling it. My family always reminding me I’m the youngest child. Cosy pubs with my friends. 

What has been your favourite project to date?

Karen Pirie series 1 was special. Shooting The Outrun (2024) and improvising opposite Saoirse Ronan was also very cool. She rocks. It was a pleasure to be asked onto that film. 

Working with Rory Kinnear on Toxic Town was also just a highlight – he’s one of the best and funniest to have on a set. 

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I’ve got super into horror lately. There’s just so much amazing work with excellent stories being made from gory to to more psychological by people like Ti West and Zach Cregger. If I really want to feel something, a scary movie will guarantee that.

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Lynne Ramsay, Bong Joon Ho, Ruben Ostlund, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Jesse Plemons… And Holmes from Overcompensating – she was a hilarious revelation. The list is endless.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

Not as much as I’d like. But I’m building my little nest and loving it. I’ve turned one of my sparerooms into a studio and its the coolest, most creative room in the house.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in East London and I’ve developed an amazing community around where I live. If I could, I’d live by the ocean but still be near a bit of buzz. I’m too sociable to be too isolated. My barista, cornershop pals, neighbours that I meet for a coffee in the morning – that’s the shit I live for. 

What’s your interior design style?

I’m figuring it out – mid century with bright, light, open space is my preference. But I’m not a minimalist: I love having memories all over my home and my fridge is covered in holiday magnets. I’m in Mallorca right now and I’m loving all the deep orange Spanish tiles mixed with modern metal and chic fabrics. I like a mix of natural and modern design, a wood and metal mix.

I’m getting way more into art and investing in nice things. I think once you’ve got art on the walls, it becomes a home. Me and my friend Harry Trevaldwyn have been helping each other get more into art in a fun adult way. We went to the RA Summer Exhibition and goaded each other into buying a piece.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Get up earlier and having a nice coffee. Don’t wear sunglasses first thing in the morning, it’s good for your eyes. Take your shoes off, even in a London park. Nice sheets. Never be too far away from water. Get a pet. 

Someone said to me recently if it all ended next week, you’d have wished you’d lived for the plot. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but go out, say ‘yes’, and live and laugh. I just want to live, laugh, love for the rest of my life. Someone should put that on a placard…

Anything fun in the pipeline professionally or personally?

I’ve directed a short I’m super proud of, and perhaps a little known podcast I used to host will be coming back… 

Photographer: Pip Bourdillon
Hair: Miguel Perez
Make-up: Lucy Burt
Styling: Holly White

What Is Lauren Lyle Loving Right Now?

I’m currently watching… I recently watched Bring Her Back (2025) in an airport after missing my flight and have to say that was a wild experience. It’s the only place I could watch it because it was bright, sterile, and I felt safe knowing other people were around to save me.

What I’m reading… Open Wide by Jessica Gross.

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… One Battle After Another (2025).

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Urchin (2025) by Harris Dickinson.

Favourite film of all time… Not possible. Really need to nail that down. 

Band/singer I always have on repeat… At the moment, Baynk.

My ultimate cultural recommendation… A ghost tour of The Old Vic Theatre, especally if you were ever lucky enough to get one from Ned who was the stage door manager of 30 years. Also the National Portrait Gallery and all the ruins of Scotland. 

Cultural guilty pleasure… Verona Farrell aka @secondhandhuns for her ‘what I find very rock and roll’ lists on Instagram/TikTok.

Lauren Lyle stars as Mia in The Ridge, streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

WATCH