First Look at Scarpetta Series Led by Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis

Prime Video presents the first images from Scarpetta, the forensic crime series based on Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling novels. The show arrives on March 11, 2026, and brings the long-running book franchise to the screen after decades of interest from readers. Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television produce the project with Blossom Films, Comet Pictures, and P&S Projects.

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Liz Sarnoff develops and writes the series, shaping a narrative built around Dr. Kay Scarpetta, portrayed by Nicole Kidman. Sarnoff directs the story with a focus on forensic detail and character tension, introducing Scarpetta as a medical examiner who relies on sharp observation and technical skill during difficult investigations. The series follows her through high-pressure cases that test her judgment and her ability to speak for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.

The plot tracks two timelines. One follows Scarpetta in the late ’90s during her early work as a Chief Medical Examiner. The other takes place in the present, where she returns to her hometown and resumes her former role. This structure allows the show to examine the long-term effects of her early cases while she investigates a new murder that draws her back into professional conflicts and unresolved personal tensions.

The cast features Nicole Kidman as Kay Scarpetta and Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister, Dorothy Farinelli. Their dynamic adds a charged layer to the story as Scarpetta works through personal strain while analyzing evidence and building a case. Bobby Cannavale plays Detective Pete Marino, bringing intensity to the investigative team, while Simon Baker appears as FBI profiler Benton Wesley. Ariana DeBose joins the series as Lucy Watson, Scarpetta’s tech-focused niece, whose skills support key breakthroughs.

The dual timeline introduces younger versions of the main characters. Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish take on these roles, creating a clear connection between past and present events. Their performances help the series track the evolution of relationships that continue to shape Scarpetta’s choices decades later.

Executive producers include Nicole Kidman and Per Saari through Blossom Films, Jamie Lee Curtis through Comet Pictures, Patricia Cornwell through P&S Projects, and Liz Sarnoff through Sarnoff TV. Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, and Chris McCumber represent Blumhouse Television. David Gordon Green directs five episodes and also serves as an executive producer, working with Amy Sayres to guide the project’s visual and tonal direction.

Scarpetta arrives as a forensic thriller built around character depth, technical detail, and the tension between past events and present consequences. Prime Video will release the series in more than 240 countries and territories when it premieres on March 11, 2026.