Nicole Kidman Steps into the Role of Kay Scarpetta in New Prime Video Series

Nicole Kidman is set to portray the iconic Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the chief medical examiner created by Patricia Cornwell, in a new television adaptation arriving on Amazon Prime Video on March 11, 2026. The series, titled “Scarpetta,” is based on Cornwell’s popular crime thriller novels and represents decades of attempts to bring the character to the screen .

A Long-Awaited Adaptation

“Scarpetta” adapts the novels “Postmortem” and “Autopsy” in its first season, weaving a narrative that jumps between the present day, and flashbacks. The storyline centers on Kay Scarpetta (played by Kidman and Rosy McEwen in flashbacks) and her brother-in-law, former detective Pete Marino (Bobby Cannavale and Jake Cannavale), as they investigate a murder that echoes a pivotal case from nearly 30 years prior .

Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team

Kidman isn’t the only major talent involved. Jamie Lee Curtis co-executive produces and stars as Dorothy Scarpetta, Kay’s sister. Ariana DeBose too features in the cast as Dorothy’s daughter, Lucy. The series also stars Simon Baker and Hunter Parrish as FBI profiler Benton Wesley . The project is a collaboration between Blossom Films, Comet Pictures, P & S Projects, Blumhouse Television, and Amazon MGM Studios .

Kidman’s Preparation for the Role

Kidman shared that her parents, a clinical psychologist and a nursing instructor, fostered her comfort with medical themes by showing her medical films growing up . She received hands-on training from a forensic medical examiner on set, learning techniques like holding a scalpel and performing incisions .

Behind the Scenes

Elizabeth Sarnoff served as the series creator and showrunner, tasked with adapting Patricia Cornwell’s extensive body of work – 29 novels since 1990 – for television . Kidman and Curtis first connected at the 2021 Oscars, sparking the collaboration that brought “Scarpetta” to fruition .