Who Kidnapped Cat? C&TH Meets Karen Pirie’s Julia Brown

Tonight at 9pm, the second two-hour installment of Karen Pirie series 2 will take to the airwaves, returning us to the titular detective’s (Lauren Lyle) reopening of a knotty abduction cold case. It all centres on Catriona Grant (Julia Brown), a rebellious Scottish heiress who was abducted with her young son 40 years ago, never to be seen again. But attention on the mystery is renewed when the body of her kidnapper is found miraculously preserved in a peat bog with the keys to her car in his pocket. But where is Cat? And what about her son, Adam?

As the case continues to unfold, we sat down with star Julia Brown to hear all about bringing Cat to life in those eerily fateful flashbacks.

Interview: Julia Brown On Karen Pirie Series 2

Hi Julia, how’s life going at the moment?

Hi! Life is going very well, thank you. I’m currently on a sun lounger in Morocco so what could be better?!

You can currently be seen in Karen Pirie season 2 on ITV – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

It’s a pacy, exhilarating series full of twists and turns. We cinematically switch between 1984 and modern day as detective Karen and her team investigate the ’80s kidnap and disappearance of an oil fortune heiress (Catriona – that’s my part!) and her son. The two hour episodes will leave you on the edge of your seat as a web of lies and secrets are untangled before your eyes.

How did it feel when you got the role?

I was delighted! At the time I was in a play back home in Edinburgh. I had filmed my audition tape in my family kitchen wearing a shirt that my mum had leant me – one that she had worn in the 80s herself. It was a funny feeling to play a character that would have been the same age as her in ’84 and I was incredibly excited at the prospect of getting to work back in Scotland again – with such a talented team too.

Knowing how much of a success series one had been, I felt a small amount of pressure, but that was quickly absorbed by the excitement of working with such a fantastic cast and crew, old and new.

KAT RONNEY as Bonnie and JULIA BROWN as Cat Grant in Karen Pirie season 2. (© ITV)

You play Catriona, the kidnapped heiress at the heart of the action. How would you describe her?

Catriona is an enigma. Above everything she is a fiercely loving and protective mother to her son Adam. She is a fireball of energy, a young woman who has had to grow up very quickly in the face of motherhood and craves a freedom that her privilege does not always offer her.

She’s artistic, left leaning and, above all, empathetic. The tension lies in that she knows that her passions and principles don’t align with those of her family.

What was it like playing her?

I loved it. Everything around me submerged me into that world. My genius makeup artist Olivia would transform me into ’80s Cat with curls for days and bold make up. Howard, our magnificent costume designer, took me vintage shopping to build Cat’s wardrobe, so every day felt like I was stepping into familiar clothing, Cat’s own skin.

The sets and production design were next level, so the minute we arrived on set, we were transported through time and space. Because of all of this, it was so easy to become Cat and I felt even more supported by the exceptional talent around me so I could just enjoy every second – even when there were lots of onscreen tears!

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

I read about the miners strike in 1984, particularly about Fife’s pits, to further understand the disparity between the social classes, something that’s very relevant to Catriona’s story. I spoke to my parents about what it was like in the 80s – especially when going out – and my dad made me some great playlists.

I also spent as much time off set with my on set co-stars to discuss scenes and nurture those relationships, allowing us freedom and naturalism on set.

Any favourite filming locations?

The whole of the east of Scotland. We were so lucky to film in some of the most beautiful locations that Scotland has to offer and it really made me fall back in love with places I used to visit as a child. I loved being in Anstruther for the coastal views (and fish and chips) but also filming the nightclub scenes in the iconic Glasgow Barrowlands, where I spent my teenage years pressed up against the concert barrier at rock gigs with my older brother.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Filming all of the scenes in kidnap cottage. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but it was pretty exhilarating stuff.

Who was your favourite person to work with?

I absolutely loved everyone on the cast and crew. It was very special for me to work with Jamie Michie, my onscreen father, reuniting with him after 12 years. I once had a wrestling match with him in an episode of MI High when I was 16 years old.

It was a joy to share so many scenes with Mark Rowley. He is such a kind and generous actor and I couldn’t have asked for a better co-star to navigate Cat and Mick’s multi-layered relationship.

What has been your favourite project to date?

I would still have to say World On Fire. It was a very special job for me and I’m so sad that we won’t be making any more of it… But that’s just how the cookie crumbles.

Any other roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

Yes, I’m very excited for the release of In Flight later this year. I’m in a modern day cabin crew in this one, so it will be a bit of a switch up from the ’80s heiress art student.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I find this type of question too hard to answer because I have learnt so much from (and laughed so much with) so many incredible actors since I started acting as a teenager. I am so lucky to have gained friendships from each and every job, and I wouldn’t want to upset anyone by choosing favourites…

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

Sean Bean: I will never stop singing that man’s praises. He is a humble, gentle and hilarious person with an exceptional talent. I was so lucky to gain a masterclass in acting each time we shared the screen together as father and daughter.

What’s your dream role?

If I could play a role where the script took me on an emotional rollercoaster, allowed me to work with one of Hollywood’s best directors and it shot in exciting locations all around the world (beaches are a plus), then I would be a very happy woman.

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

Psychological thriller.

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

Julia Roberts.

Do you get to spend much time at home, and what do you like to do in your spare time?

I am fortunate that my job takes me to new and wonderful places, but there is a lot of downtime between acting gigs which means I am back in London. I love to travel, to eat at new places, to go to events and the theatre, to stay active and take part in weird and wonderful activities with my friends.

Despite always living out of a suitcase, I am also a bit of a homebody and love days spent at home… Baking, relaxing, pottering about and watching new releases!

How can we all live a little bit better?

Laugh and play more.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally? 

I’ve been doing a lot of writing, so to blend the professional and personal: I am most excited about a film that my dad and I have written together. Watch this space!

Julia Brown Recommends…

I’m currently watching… Karen Pirie series 2.

What I’m reading… My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes.

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… The Ballad of Wallis Island

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… The White Lotus season 4 (Mike White, if you’re auditioning, let me know!).

Favourite film of all time… Steel Magnolias, but my guilty pleasure is Love Actually.

Favourite song of all time… ‘Dream A Little Dream Of Me’

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Relevant to Karen Pirie, I always have an ’80s disco playlist on the go.

My ultimate cultural recommendation… The Edinburgh Fringe Festival for one of the most varied and fantastic months of your life. I am about to go up there and I look forward to it each year.

Cultural guilty pleasure… Tacky bottomless drag bingo brunch.

Julia Brown stars as Catriona Grant in Karen Pirie season 2. Episodes air Sundays at 8pm on ITV1. All episodes are streaming now on ITVX.

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