It would have seemed an improbable twist of fate for Jamie Lee Curtis to imagine, three decades after her blockbuster film True Lies, that she would be enthusiastically discussing a new television series – a scenario as unlikely as performing her iconic helicopter stunt without special effects. Yet, that is precisely where the acclaimed actor finds herself, co-executive producing and starring alongside Nicole Kidman in the highly anticipated Prime Video mystery crime series, Scarpetta.
"I guarantee you when I was … literally hanging under a helicopter above the Florida Keys over the Seven Mile Bridge in Florida, I did not imagine I’d be sitting in New York City that many years later with Nicole Kidman," Curtis reflected. "Not only being co-bosses on a show, but then also playing her slutty sister. I was not imagining that as my future." The Oscar winners lead the adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's popular novels, set to premiere on 11 March. Curtis credits Kidman as a pivotal figure in Hollywood who has helped diminish the perceived divide between film and television roles, particularly with her work on prestige series such as Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Kidman, 58, takes on the titular role of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist renowned for solving complex murders. Her return to Virginia unearths cases eerily similar to one that propelled her career forward three decades prior. To prepare for the demanding role, Kidman immersed herself in the world of forensic science, spending time with a medical examiner in Tennessee, where she learnt how to handle a scalpel and identify and dissect organs. "My sister and my mother were obsessed with the novels, so I would read them," the Emmy-winning actor shared. "When I mentioned it to my sister, she was like, ‘Well, I mean, that’s it. You have to do it.’"
The journey to bring Cornwell’s iconic fiction series to the screen has been a protracted one. Over the years, the book rights were optioned multiple times, with megastars including Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, and even Kidman herself previously attached to various iterations that ultimately never materialised. It was at the 2021 Oscars that Kidman first approached Curtis, introducing herself despite their decades in similar industry circles. Months later, upon hearing Curtis was spearheading the Scarpetta project, Kidman was eager to join. "I have a philosophy where characters come to you at the right time," Kidman explained, noting that earlier attempts to play Kay Scarpetta hadn't felt right. "Here she is, and I’m ready now."
Curtis, known for her roles in the Halloween franchise, portrays Scarpetta’s free-spirited sister, Dorothy. Initially, she had no intention of acting in the series but agreed at Kidman’s personal request. The eight-episode season was helmed by showrunner Liz Sarnoff, whose impressive credits include Lost and Barry, and who is also a long-time admirer of Cornwell's books. The ensemble cast further boasts Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino, Kay's ex-partner and Dorothy’s husband, and The Mentalist star Simon Baker as FBI profiler and Scarpetta's husband, Benton Wesley. Another Oscar winner, Ariana DeBose, plays Dorothy’s tech-savvy daughter, Lucy, who was primarily raised by Kay. A companion storyline set in the 1990s explores the doctor's early career, with Rosy McEwen, bearing a striking resemblance to Kidman, portraying the younger version. Jake Cannavale – Bobby’s actual son – plays the young Marino, and Hunter Parrish depicts a baby-faced Benton.
DeBose, who famously presented Curtis with her Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once, received her role offer via a personal text message from Curtis. Her character, Lucy, grapples with the grief of losing her wife and seeks solace in an AI replica – a significant departure for an actor celebrated for her upbeat Broadway performances. "I hope audiences will also find a way to have compassion for her," the 35-year-old said, reflecting on a fictional character that resonated deeply in her own life. Five months after filming, DeBose experienced a profound personal loss with the death of her mother. "I’m more clear now than I was when I was actually shooting this series … that grief manifests in very different ways."
Patricia Cornwell, whose Scarpetta series has sold over 120 million copies worldwide, was deeply involved in the adaptation process. "Dream come true — literally," said the New York Times bestseller, who began the series in 1990. The 69-year-old author, who started penning Postmortem while working in the office of Virginia's chief medical examiner, is currently writing the 30th book, which centres on a serial poisoner. She expressed her delight that Kidman and Curtis have unearthed new dimensions of her beloved characters. "I’m learning things from them," she shared. "When I sit back and I’m working on my book, suddenly I’m seeing Jamie in my head, or I’m hearing Nicole. My characters have come alive."
Prime Video has enjoyed considerable success with popular novel adaptations such as Reacher, Jack Ryan, the Bosch universe, and Cross, all drawing from extensive source material. The streaming giant is now placing a significant bet on Scarpetta to be its next major hit.
Beyond the series, Curtis hopes this project, produced by her company Comet Pictures, will serve as an inspiration for young women in the industry, offering a new model for leadership both in front of and behind the camera. "I hope that they see people — women — doing all these different jobs. This show doesn’t exist without me calling Jason Blum, saying, ‘Hey, I found out that the rights to Patricia’s books are available. Let’s (expletive) go!’" Curtis recounted, recalling her conversation with the Blumhouse Television founder, who helped produce it. "They will hear that and go, ‘Oh, that’s how you get (expletive) done!’ You persevere."
With two Scarpetta seasons already ordered, Curtis, who has famously stated her intention to leave acting on her own terms, was playfully challenged by Kidman on this stance. "When my parents were in their heyday, they were enormous movie stars. There is a point where the industry just moves on. … I want to be able to end it on my own terms … I’ve been saying that since I was 30," the 67-year-old Emmy winner explained. "I want to be able to walk away with the dignity and pride in my work, and not kind of be grasping at something that’s fading away." Kidman, however, interjected with a smile: "Pay no attention to her," adding to Curtis, "We’re not listening to that because we’re asking you to stay forever." The two teased each other with the easy camaraderie of real-life sisters. "She will be working well past 100, probably," Kidman predicted, "And we’ll all be going, ‘That’s an inspiration.’"
