Nicole Kidman steps into the lead role of the much-anticipated Nicole Kidman Scarpetta series, bringing the bestselling forensic crime novels by Patricia Cornwell to Prime Video. The streaming service has set the premiere for March 11, showcasing an accomplished cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish, alongside Kidman.
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television, the series adapts Cornwell’s popular Kay Scarpetta novels for television. Liz Sarnoff, recognized for her work on Barry, The Leftovers, and Lost, leads the writing and development for the show.
“Scarpetta brings Patricia Cornwell’s iconic literary character to life in a gripping series starring Nicole Kidman as ‘Dr. Kay Scarpetta.’ With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, this unrelenting medical examiner is determined to serve as the voice of the victims, unmask a serial killer, and prove that her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing. Set against the backdrop of modern forensic investigation, the series delves beyond the crime scene to explore the psychological complexities of both perpetrators and investigators, creating a multi-layered thriller that examines the toll of pursuing justice at all costs.”
— Prime Video synopsis
Plot Spanning Decades and Delving into Family Tensions
The Scarpetta series unfolds across two distinct timelines, following Kidman’s Dr. Kay Scarpetta from her rise as Chief Medical Examiner in the 1990s through her return to her hometown decades later. As she resumes her forensic career to work on a gruesome murder, Scarpetta must also navigate strained relationships, especially with her sister Dorothy Farinelli, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, and confront family secrets that threaten to upend her world.
In the evolving storyline, Scarpetta is tasked with solving a dangerous case involving a serial killer, while facing the challenging legacy of a pivotal investigation from nearly three decades prior. The narrative weaves together personal and professional challenges, offering a look at the toll high-stakes crime-solving takes on both victims’ advocates and criminal investigators.
Acclaimed Cast and Creative Team Bring Literary Thrills to Life
Nicole Kidman leads the cast as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, having built a celebrated career with roles in films like Moulin Rouge!, and TV dramas such as Big Little Lies. Kidman is also slated to return as Gillian Owens in upcoming projects, including Practical Magic 2. Jamie Lee Curtis, known for her breakthrough in Halloween and other successful productions, appears as Dorothy Farinelli and has a series of additional upcoming roles in projects like Murder She Wrote, Ella McCay, Sender, and Spychosis.
The supporting cast features Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino, Simon Baker as Benton Wesley, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish, enhancing the adaptation’s depth and appeal. Behind the scenes, Liz Sarnoff brings experience from major television dramas, ensuring the adaptation remains true to the psychological and investigative threads that defined Cornwell’s novels.
Character List: Main Roles Introduced in Scarpetta
1. Nicole Kidman as Kay Scarpetta
2. Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy
3. Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino
4. Simon Baker as Benton Wesley
Outlook: Anticipation Builds Ahead of Release
With the Nicole Kidman Scarpetta series set for its March 11 debut on Prime Video, anticipation is high for a crime thriller that promises to blend modern forensic intrigue with complex family and professional dynamics. The involvement of acclaimed talent from both cast and crew, and the popularity of Patricia Cornwell’s novels, position Scarpetta as a potential standout in the streaming landscape. Audiences can expect a suspenseful exploration of justice, legacy, and the human cost of solving crime.
