Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis Bring ‘Scarpetta’ Book Series to Life on Screen

NEW YORK — When Jamie Lee Curtis' blockbuster film “True Lies” premiered, it was hard to imagine that three decades later, she would be thrilled about a TV show. Now, she and Nicole Kidman are co-executive producing and starring in “Scarpetta,” a new crime mystery series on Prime Video, set to release on March 11.

Based on Patricia Cornwell's best-selling series, Curtis notes that Kidman has played a significant role in elevating the perception of TV roles, thanks to her involvement in prestigious series like “Big Little Lies.”

In “Scarpetta,” Kidman portrays Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist unraveling complex murder cases. Returning to Virginia, Scarpetta faces eerie similarities to a case that defined her early career. To prepare, Kidman trained with a medical examiner, mastering the techniques of her character.

Kidman expressed her long-held admiration for the series, noting, “My sister and my mother were obsessed with the novels, so I would read them. When I mentioned it to my sister, she said, ‘Well, you have to do it!’”

The rights to Cornwell’s series have seen several iterations over the years, with big-name actors like Demi Moore and Angelina Jolie previously attached, but none materialized. At the 2021 Oscars, Kidman connected with Curtis and expressed her interest when she learned Curtis was developing “Scarpetta.”

Curtis takes on the role of Scarpetta's free-spirited sister, Dorothy, after initially planning to stay behind the camera. The eight-episode series is helmed by showrunner Liz Sarnoff, who has a deep appreciation for the source material.

The cast features Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino, Scarpetta's ex-partner; Simon Baker as FBI profiler Benton Wesley; and Ariana DeBose as Dorothy’s tech-savvy daughter, Lucy.

A companion storyline set in the '90s will explore Scarpetta's early career, with Rosy McEwen playing the younger version of the character. DeBose's character experiences grief and seeks comfort in an AI replica, adding depth to the narrative.

Patricia Cornwell, who has sold over 120 million copies of the “Scarpetta” series, is closely involved in the adaptation and is excited about how Kidman and Curtis are bringing new life to her characters.

Prime Video has previously enjoyed success with adaptations of popular novels, and they hope to replicate that with “Scarpetta.” Kidman has a busy slate ahead, including several upcoming projects, while Curtis aims for the series to inspire women in the industry.

“This show doesn’t exist without me calling Jason Blum about the rights to Patricia’s books,” Curtis stated, emphasizing the importance of taking initiative in the industry. Two seasons of “Scarpetta” have already been ordered, with Curtis expressing a desire to leave acting on her own terms.

Despite her hesitations, Kidman and Curtis share a playful camaraderie, hinting at a long-term partnership in the industry.