Trending Now - Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis Bring 'scarpetta' to TV
WHO:
Jamie Lee Curtis stated, “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.”
Rosy McEwen portrays a younger version of Kay Scarpetta.
Hunter Parrish plays a younger version of Benton Wesley.
Savannah Lumar plays an 11-year-old version of Lucy.
Nicole Kidman stars as Dr. Kay Scarpetta.
Simon Baker plays Benton Wesley, Kay's husband and an FBI profiler.
Bobby Cannavale portrays retired Detective Pete Marino.
Jamie Lee Curtis plays Dorothy, Kay's sister.
Ariana DeBose plays Lucy, Dorothy's daughter.
Liz Sarnoff is the series creator and adapter of Patricia Cornwell’s book series.
Mike Vogel plays city attorney Bill Boltz.
Alex Klein plays former interim chief Elvin Reddy.
Sosie Bacon plays reporter Abby Turnball.
Jake Cannavale plays a younger version of Pete Marino.
WHAT:
The series is co-executive produced by Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis.
The adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s book series has been in development for years, with various actors previously attached, including Demi Moore and Angelina Jolie.
Kidman spent time with a medical examiner in Tennessee to prepare for her role, learning how to hold a scalpel and identify and dissect organs.
The series has been ordered for two seasons.
"Scarpetta" is a crime thriller series based on Patricia Cornwell’s book series.
The series consists of eight hour-long episodes.
The show depicts themes of femicide, dysfunctional families, and psychological trauma.
The plot involves Kay Scarpetta returning to her role as Virginia’s chief medical examiner after being ousted.
Kay investigates a murder case that resembles a case from 28 years ago.
The first episode opens with a woman's body found hog-tied and naked near train tracks.
WHERE:
The series is set in Virginia, specifically in the city of Alexandria.
WHEN:
"Scarpetta" premieres on March 11th, 2026.
The flashback scenes take place in 1998.
WHY:
Curtis expressed her hope that the series inspires young women in the industry, stating, “I hope that they see people — women — doing all these different jobs.”
Kay Scarpetta's return to her position is intended to mark a new chapter in her life and career.
The investigation is driven by the need to obtain justice for the new victim and to validate past decisions regarding a previous case.
HOW:
Curtis initiated the project by contacting Jason Blum about the available rights to Patricia Cornwell’s books.
The narrative alternates between present-day investigations and flashbacks to the past.
Kay collaborates with Pete Marino, who she drags out of retirement to assist in the investigation.
(UPDATED March 11, 2026 07:20 UTC)
In an exciting development for fans of crime dramas, Jamie Lee Curtis shared her journey from hanging under a helicopter in the Florida Keys to co-executive producing a new series alongside Nicole Kidman, which adapts Patricia Cornwell’s beloved book series. The show, which has been in the works for years and has been ordered for two seasons, features Rosy McEwen as a younger Kay Scarpetta, Hunter Parrish as Benton Wesley, and Savannah Lumar as an 11-year-old Lucy. Curtis hopes the series will inspire young women in the industry, emphasizing the importance of seeing women take on diverse roles in film and television.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 05:22 UTC)
Today marks the premiere of "Scarpetta," a gripping crime thriller series based on Patricia Cornwell’s novels, featuring Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, who returns to her role as Virginia’s chief medical examiner. Set in Alexandria, the show explores dark themes of femicide and psychological trauma as Kay investigates a murder case that echoes a chilling incident from 28 years ago, with the first episode opening dramatically with a woman's body found near train tracks. Joining Kidman in the cast are Simon Baker as her husband Benton Wesley, Bobby Cannavale as retired Detective Pete Marino, and Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister Dorothy, among others, as the narrative weaves between present-day investigations and flashbacks to 1998.