Nicole Kidman is stepping into the role of forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta in Amazon’s upcoming crime thriller Scarpetta. The series, based on Patricia Cornwell’s best-selling novels, will premiere on Prime Video on March 11, 2026.
Two Timelines, One Case
The show unfolds across dual timelines. Rosy McEwen portrays a young Scarpetta in the late 1990s, beginning her career as chief medical examiner. Kidman plays the present-day Scarpetta, returning to her hometown to resume her former position while investigating a grisly murder. The series promises to explore both Scarpetta’s professional challenges and personal struggles. Her sister Dorothy, played by Amanda Righetti in the past and Jamie Lee Curtis in the present, adds tension to the narrative with their fraught relationship.
A Serial Killer Hunt
“With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, unrelenting medical examiner Kay Scarpetta 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,” the official logline reads. The series blends forensic investigation with psychological drama, examining the toll of pursuing justice at all costs. Scarpetta must navigate complicated family ties, professional grudges, and secrets that threaten to unravel her life.
Star-Studded Cast and Production
The cast includes Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, and Ariana DeBose. Brendan Gleeson and Jack Huston also appear, with Jake Cannavale and Hunter Parrish playing younger versions of key characters. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television, the series is executive produced by Kidman and Per Saari through Blossom Films, Curtis through Comet Pictures, and Cornwell through P&S Projects. Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, and David Gordon Green are also among the producers, with Green directing five episodes.
A Literary Legacy
Cornwell’s Scarpetta novels have sold more than 120 million copies worldwide since the character’s debut in 1990. The adaptation aims to bring the forensic thriller to life for a new generation of viewers, combining gritty crime scenes with layered character drama. With Kidman at the helm, Scarpetta is positioned as one of Prime Video’s most anticipated releases of 2026.
