Scarpetta (TV series)
Scarpetta, also known as Kay Scarpetta, is an upcoming American television series developed by Liz Sarnoff. It is based on the book series of the same name by Patricia Cornwell, and is produced by Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, who star. The series is slated to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 11, 2026.
Premise
Kay Scarpetta is a brilliant and beautiful forensic pathologist, the protagonist in a beloved series of crime novels. Inspired by former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella Farinelli Fierro MD, she employs advanced forensic technology to unravel mysteries and solve crimes. Throughout the series, Scarpetta, of Italian descent, navigates her investigative journey across various settings, including Florida, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.Cast and characters
Main
- Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta
- * Rosy McEwen as young Kay Scarpetta
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Scarpetta, Kay's older sister
- * Amanda Righetti as young Dorothy
- Ariana DeBose as Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Dorothy's daughter
- Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino, a former detective
- * Jake Cannavale as young Pete Marino
- Simon Baker as Benton Wesley, an FBI profiler
- * Hunter Parrish as young Benton Wesley
Recurring
- Sosie Bacon as Abby Turnball, a prize-winning reporter
- Charlie B. Foster as Wingo, Scarpetta's assistant in the morgue
- Janet Montgomery as Janet, Lucy's wife
- Stephanie Faracy as Maggie Cutbush, Scarpetta's inherited assistant from her predecessor
- * Georgia King as young Maggie Cutbush
- Mike Vogel as Bill Boltz, city attorney
- Tiya Sircar as Blaise Fruge, a policewoman
- Anna Diop as Sierra "Tron" Patron, a cyber investigator with the FBI
- Graham Phillips as young Matt Petersen, a handsome, genteel actor
Production
Development
In June 2021, it was reported that a television series adaptation of novel series is in development from Comet Pictures, a production company owned by Jamie Lee Curtis and Blumhouse Television. Patricia Cornwell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold and Chris Dickie would serve as the show's executive producers.In February 2023, it was announced that Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis would join the cast and also serve as executive producers on the show. This marked the first instance of Scarpetta's transition from page to screen despite numerous prior attempts. Initially, in 1992, Demi Moore was briefly associated with the Scarpetta character, while Angelina Jolie was contemplating a big-screen franchise based on the role in 2009. A two-season order, each consisting of eight episodes, was anticipated for the series. At the beginning, when the project was announced, no showrunner was attached. However, it was later confirmed that Liz Sarnoff would step in as the series' writer and showrunner. David Gordon Green and Amy Sayres also served as executive producers.
Although the series was initially announced as Kay Scarpetta, the title was changed to Scarpetta when the casting updates were revealed. David Gordon Green was reported to be directing the first two episodes.
Charlotte Brändström was noted as one of the directors.