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Prime Video has officially ordered two seasons of Scarpetta, more than 18 months after Nicole Kidman‘s name was first attached to the series adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels.
Kidman will indeed star in the mystery-thriller as medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, who returns to Virginia, and her former job, amid complex personal and professional relationships — including the one with her sister, Dorothy, to be played by recent Emmy winner Jamie Lee Curtis.
Additional cast members include Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) as Dorothy’s daughter, Lucy Farinelli-Watson; Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire) as former detective Pete Marino; Simon Baker (The Mentalist) as FBI profiler Benton Wesley; Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) as Past Kay Scarpetta; and, fittingly, Jake Cannavale — Bobby’s real-life son — as Past Pete Marino.
Both Kidman and Curtis (whose Comet Pictures back in 2021 secured rights to the Kay Scarpetta novels) will also be EPs on the series, while Liz Sarnoff (Barry) will serve as writer/showrunner.
“I’m beyond excited that this is finally happening. This will be great fun for all, and I’m grateful for the immense talent that the show is drawing,” Cornwell said in a statement. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman. Their wanting to do this is humbling and simply awesome. Working with the brilliant Liz Sarnoff is amazing. Blumhouse and Prime Video are a dream. This has been worth waiting for, and I’m so looking forward to the show.”
Cornwell’s tagliatella bolognese-loving Scarpetta character was first introduced in 1990’s Postmortem, and has appeared in more than 20 novels since then — most recently, Unnatural Death: A Scarpetta Novel (which hit shelves in November 2023).
As recently as 2009, Angelina Jolie was circling a big-screen franchise revolving around the Scarpetta character, while Demi Moore was briefly attached to the role back in the early 1990s. Word of Prime Video’s potential series adaptation was first reported in February 2023.
Having read and liked the books, this is a prime example of miscasting.
Having read and liked the books myself as well, I can definitely say this was an interesting choice. However, Nicole Kidman is absolute phenomenal actress. If done right, I can see her pulling this off. Interested and excited to see what she brings to this role.
I totally agree with you. She is NOT the actress for this role.
Love Nicole Kidman, if they change the character a bit like they did Temperance Brennen on Bones, it could work. Love the early mysteries so pretty excited to see the interpretation
I always wondered why no one has done this series? It’s a good one. I don’t see Kidman in the role, but will check it out.
The books are a bit dated and forensics has been done to death with the CSIs, but this could be interesting. Seems like they’re going to go the Bones route and create something different from the books.
The early books are certainly dated due to all the shows since then but could be easily updated… Kidman can be anybody.. I look forward to it..
Have read all the book so I hope the series does them justice.
You read a whole book?
Books – obviously since I said series and them (as in plural) you knew what I meant.
Ms Kidman is a super choice to play Scarpetta. Can’t wait to see series.
Awesome!!! I look forward to watching that.
Is Nicole Kidman going to adapt every book ever written? Can she not be in a TV show that is original and fresh?
What a bizarre complaint in a media landscape littered with franchises and reboots. An adaptation of a book or book series that hasn’t been adapted before IS original compared to what usually gets greenlit these days.
Seems an odd complaint to me as well as it is original content.🤷♀️
Not sure about Nicole Kidman in the role but it can’t possibly be worse casting than Katherine Heigel as Stephanie Plum.
I know everyone and their mother hated One for the Money, but I didn’t think Heigl was bad as Plum (*ducks for cover*).
I didn’t think she was either; I actually enjoyed that film (*also ducks for cover*).
The casting is all wrong! Sometimes you wonder if the casting director read the book…my first choice for Kay is Jessica Chastain, 2nd Kate Winslet…and Jamie Lee Curtis? Can’t figure yet who Dorothy should be buy NOT her! I haven’t heard who Benton is but maybe Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Nathan Fillion or Karl Urban? And Mariono maybe Chris Pine or David Tenant? Just a few ideas…
To answer your question, the Australian actor, Simon Baker, is playing Benton. His first big role was in “L.A. Confidential” as the actor who gets used by the scandal magazine. He also starred in The Mentalist, a CBS-tv show.
Marino has to be big & tough—like Nick Nolte in the first “48 hrs.” movie. Chris Pine doesn’t fit the bill.
As for Kay Scarpetta: what’s needed is a 30-something Jeri Ryan. Jessica Chastian may be the best choice, given the current talent pool.
The idea of adapting the Scarpetta novels popped into my head just yesterday; I’ve always wondered why it hasn’t been done before now (and as much as I liked Bones, I read the first Brennan novel before Bones ever came into existence and stopped there). As for Kidman, love her but I’m not sure she’s the one for this (Cate Blanchett was who came to mind for me).
My first reaction was that Jamie Lee Curtis would make a better Scarpetta, and Nicole Kidman a better Dorothy. But, both are tremendously talented actresses!!
Bruce McGill (Rizzoli & Isles)would make a great Marino. Jon Tenney (The Closer; Major Crimes) a good Benton Wesley.
Lucy will be a difficult cast. Lol
Great suggestions for Marino and Wesley!
I can absolutely see Curtis as Scarpetta.
Good choice.
I can’t wait!! Love, love, LOVE the Scarpetta series. I own them all!!
Ugh! Love the books and was excited until Nicole Kidman. I cannot see her in this role at all. Worst casting ever.,
I hope Amazon does a better job with these books than they did with Louise Penny’s Three Pines mysteries. The characters and stories were unrecognizable.
Well, Amazon hit it out of the park with Bosch which was one of their first series. Titus Welliver WAS the Bosch in my head. It depends on the casting, writing/directing and also letting go of the images of the characters in your head. Having Patricia Cornwell involved is also a massive help. I’m ever hopeful
I have read all her books and Nicole is agood choice
Cornwell is one of my favorite authors. I hope they don’t mangle this series.
Rooney Mara, (The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo) would make a brilliant “Lucy”. Not sure she would accept the role, but she has all of Lucy’s computer skills and the ability to kick some “a__”. Love the Cornwell series of Kay Scarpetta.
My pick for Lucy in Scarlett’s series- Molly Ephraim or Kaitlyn Dever, both have portrayed the plucky type of personality to a tee.
I can’t picture Kidman as Scarpetta but I could see Curtis as her.
Sick of Kidman. Angelina would have been a better choice.
KAY IS NOT A HOMEWRECKER, SO NOOOO TO THAT JOLIE PERSON ..
Not sure about Nicole Kidman as Scarpetta, I think Gillian Anderson would be a better fit. Jennifer Lawrence would be a brilliant Lucy. Doesn’t matter who plays Dorothy as it’s only a small part with occasional appearances in the books.
Connie Neilson
Thank you for finally bringing these characters to the screen. Florence Pugh, Jennifer Lawrence would be good picks for Lucy. Gerard Butler or Travolta for Pete Marino could be a nice match. Joe Manganiello or Chris Pine for Wesley?
I always envisioned Kay Scarpetta to be more Like Angie Harmon
I’ve read them all and never pictured her in the role. More Jennifer Lawrence when she’s young. I guess this series is picking up well into adulthood for Lucy. Wonder who’ll play Moreno?
I am just so excited to hear there is going to be a series and I’m glad it’s not Angelina Jolie. I don’t know that Nicole Kidman is the right fit but we’ll see.