Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis are joining forces for Scarpetta, a series based on Patricia Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series. Cornwell’s “Scarpetta” novels follow Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant and dedicated forensic pathologist who Kidman will portray in the series. Showing confidence in the project, Prime Video has now greenlit the upcoming series for two seasons. Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, and Jake Cannavale will star alongside Kidman and Curtis.
In a statement (via Variety), Kidman shared her excitement for the project, which she has been trying to get off the ground for nearly two decades:
“I’ve been pursuing ‘ Scarpetta’ for nearly twenty years going back to when it was intended to be a feature, so to unite with the formidable Jamie Lee Curtis, Prime Video, Jason Blum, and David Gordon Green on the Liz Sarnoff series version of Patricia Cornwell’s epic and thrilling books feels like it was meant to be. I cannot wait to inhabit Kay Scarpetta and am so thankful to Patricia Cornwell for entrusting me with her.”
Curtis will co-star as Kay’s sister, and the synopsis, which you can read below, teases some tension between the two characters:
“The mystery thriller, based on the hit book series, follows Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), the Chief Medical Examiner, as she returns to Virginia and resumes her former position with complex relationships, both personal and professional – including her sister Dorothy (Curtis), with plenty of grudges and secrets to uncover.”
Character details for the remaining lead cast have also been revealed: Bobby Cannavale will portray former detective Pete Marino, Baker will star as FBI profiler Benton Wesley, and DeBose is cast as Dorothy’s daughter Lucy Farinelli-Watson. McEwen will portray a younger version of Kidman’s Kay, while Bobby Cannavale’s son, Jake, will portray a younger Pete. Filming for Scarpetta is scheduled to begin this month in Nashville.
Jamie Lee Curtis Says Patricia Cornwell Fans Will Love Scarpetta
Adaptations can be tricky, especially when they have a loyal following. However, Curtis said that she knows “the ardent fans of the books will be very happy, and the new audience will be compelled by the characters, crimes, and mysteries that are the trifecta of Patricia’s masterful storytelling.” Scarpetta will mark a reunion between Curtis and her Halloween, Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends director David Gordon Green. This reunion suggests a darker tone, and Curtis teases, “there WILL be BLOOD.”
Barry‘s Liz Sarnoff will write, executive produce, and serve as showrunner for Scarpetta. Along with leading a talented ensemble cast, Kidman and Curtis will executive produce the series under Blossom Films and Comet Pictures, respectively. Scarpetta’s other executive producers include Cornwell for P & S Projects alongside Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, Chris McCumber for Blumhouse Television, Per Saari for Blossom Films, Green and Amy Sayres. Scarpetta is produced by Blumhouse Television and Amazon MGM Studios.
Kidman most recently starred in Netflix’s hit The Perfect Couple and will return for the upcoming seasons of Nine Perfect Strangers and Lioness. Curtis, meanwhile, most recently starred in Gia Coppola’s critically lauded The Last Showgirl alongside Pamela Anderson. The Academy Award-winning actresses will also appear in anticipated sequels, with Kidman reuniting with Sandra Bullock for Practical Magic 2, while Curtis has reteamed with Lindsay Lohan for the Freaky Friday sequel, Freakier Friday.
There is no word yet on when
Scarpetta
will land on Amazon Prime.