Kay Scarpetta Series Starring Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis a Go at Amazon

Kay Scarpetta Series Starring Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis a Go at Amazon

As a long-time fan of captivating crime dramas and powerhouse actresses, this news about Scarpetta has me practically jumping for joy! With the incredible Nicole Kidman stepping into the shoes of Kay Scarpetta, and the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis joining her as her sister Dorothy, I can’t help but feel like I’m witnessing a dream team come together.


Prime Video is hitting the books once again.

Amazon’s streaming platform has given the go-ahead to ‘Scarpetta’, a crime drama inspired by Patricia Cornwell’s popular book series about Virginia medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. This project, in development for over a year, secured a two-season deal on Prime Video; Nicole Kidman is set to portray the lead character and share screen time with Jamie Lee Curtis. In addition to their acting roles, Kidman and Curtis will serve as executive producers.

Beyond just Kidman and Curtis, this game’s storyline boasts a top-tier ensemble with stars like Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, and Jake Cannavale joining the fray.

In 2021, Blumhouse Television, in partnership with Curtis, secured the rights to Cornwell’s novels and is now collaborating with Amazon MGM Studios, Kidman’s Blossom Films, and Curtis’ Comet Pictures to produce the series. Liz Sarnoff (known for her work on Barry, Lost, and Deadwood) is adapting the novels and will oversee the show as its executive producer. David Gordon Green, who directed Curtis in the last three Halloween movies, has been assigned to direct the first two episodes of this upcoming series.

“I have wanted to bring Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta to a screen, with my company, Comet Pictures, for a while,” Curtis said in a statement. “I’m particularly excited that Nicole Kidman will finally bring her to life. I’m also looking forward to playing Nicole’s sister as we tell the story with Liz Sarnoff’s expert care, leadership, skill, and talent, and I am excited to work again with David as our director. I know 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. Blumhouse, Blossom, and Prime Video are the perfect partners to bring Scarpetta to you, and a warning……..there WILL be blood.”

Veronica Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, commented, “Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta has captivated audiences for years, and I am proud that Prime Video is given the opportunity to bring this series to life on screen for our worldwide viewers. An exceptional team has been put together for the project, with Liz Sarnoff at the helm and a visionary outlook; renowned actresses Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, along with an impressive cast; and a top-tier crew from Blumhouse.

In the new series, Nicole Kidman’s character Dr. Kay Scarpetta takes up her old role as a chief medical examiner in Virginia, juggling grisly crime scenes with complex personal relationships. Following her Emmy win for her performance on ‘The Bear’, Julia Curtis has joined the cast as Kay’s sister Dorothy. Bobby Cannavale, who previously acted alongside Kidman in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ on Hulu, will portray Detective Pete Marino. The Mentalist’s Simon Baker takes on the role of FBI profiler Benton Wesley, while Leslie DeBose (West Side Story, Wish) plays Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Dorothy’s daughter. McEwen and Jake Cannavale will depict younger versions of Kay and Pete respectively.

Cornwell expressed immense joy as he announced, “At last, it’s here! This promises to be an entertaining extravaganza for everyone involved. The extraordinary talent that the show is attracting is truly commendable. As a longtime admirer of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman, their participation in this project is nothing short of humbling and absolutely thrilling. Collaborating with the gifted Liz Sarnoff is an exciting prospect. Working alongside Blumhouse and Prime Video feels like a dream come true. The wait has been worth it, and I can’t wait for the show to unfold!

Nicole Kidman expressed, “I’ve been chasing after the character of Scarpetta for almost 20 years, since it was initially conceived as a feature film. Now, joining forces with Jamie Lee Curtis, Prime Video, Jason Blum, and David Gordon Green on the Liz Sarnoff series adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s extraordinary novels feels like fate. I am incredibly excited to embody Kay Scarpetta, and I am deeply grateful to Patricia Cornwell for allowing me to bring her creation to life.

Showrunner Sarnoff expressed, “I read Patricia Cornwell’s ‘Scarpetta’ novels alongside my mother when they were first published in the 90s. We found great joy in having a strong female protagonist as our heroine and were both impressed by the intricacy, depth, and compelling nature of her storytelling. I couldn’t be more grateful and thrilled about the opportunity to bring these stories to life on screen.

Sarnoff, Kidman, Curtis, and Cornwell serve as executive producers for the series Scarpetta, along with Jason Blum from Blumhouse TV (alongside Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, and Chris McCumber); Per Saari from Blossom Films; and Green and Amy Sayres.

Scarpetta is among the Prime Video series that originated from top-selling novels, joining the ranks of Reacher, the upcoming Cross, the Bosch franchise, Jack Ryan, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

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2024-09-18 21:57