The legend is stepping off the page and onto the screen.
Prime Video has officially unveiled the trailer and key art for Scarpetta, the long-awaited television adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling Kay Scarpetta novels. Set to premiere on March 11, 2026, the crime thriller will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
With more than 120 million copies sold since the character’s debut in 1990, Kay Scarpetta has become one of the most enduring figures in modern crime fiction. Now, under the creative vision of Emmy-nominated writer and showrunner Liz Sarnoff (Barry, Lost), the iconic forensic pathologist finally comes to life in a gripping, character-driven series.
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television in association with Blossom Films, Comet Pictures, and P&S Projects, Scarpetta blends psychological suspense with emotional depth—promising a crime drama that lingers long after the credits roll.
Nicole Kidman Steps Into the Role of a Lifetime
Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman stars as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant and determined medical examiner whose work demands precision, resilience, and an unflinching pursuit of truth. With an unerring eye and steady resolve, Scarpetta serves as the voice for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.
But this time, the case cuts deeper.
As she hunts a serial killer, Scarpetta is forced to confront the haunting possibility that a pivotal investigation from 28 years ago—one that shaped her career—may now threaten to unravel everything she has built.
Starring opposite Kidman is Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Farinelli, Kay’s sister. Their fraught relationship simmers beneath the surface, layered with professional jealousy, unresolved wounds, and deeply buried secrets.
The ensemble cast further elevates the tension:
- Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale as Detective Pete Marino
- Emmy nominee Simon Baker (The Mentalist) as FBI profiler Benton Wesley
- Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) as Lucy Farinelli Watson, Kay’s tech-savvy niece
Completing the dual-era storytelling are Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish, portraying the younger versions of the central characters—bridging past and present with striking intensity.
A Story Told Across Two Timelines
Layered and suspenseful, Scarpetta unfolds across two distinct time periods.
The narrative traces Scarpetta’s early days as Chief Medical Examiner in the late 1990s while simultaneously following her present-day return to her hometown, where she resumes her former role amid a disturbing new murder investigation.
As timelines intertwine, so do the consequences.
Old rivalries resurface. Long-held grudges ignite. Personal and professional boundaries blur. And standing at the center of it all, Scarpetta must navigate a maze of emotional complexity while pursuing justice at any cost.
It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about confronting the past.
A Creative Team Built for Suspense
Liz Sarnoff serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, shaping the adaptation with a sharp and character-focused approach. Nicole Kidman and Per Saari executive produce through Blossom Films, while Jamie Lee Curtis produces via Comet Pictures. Author Patricia Cornwell is also an executive producer through P&S Projects.
Blumhouse Television’s Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, and Chris McCumber join as executive producers, bringing their signature edge to the project.
David Gordon Green directs five episodes and serves as executive producer alongside Amy Sayres, giving the series a cinematic intensity that heightens its emotional stakes.
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television, Scarpetta stands as a bold collaboration between powerhouse creatives.
A Global Premiere Event
For readers who have followed Kay Scarpetta for decades—and for new audiences ready to meet her—March 11, 2026 marks a significant moment. The premiere of Scarpetta isn’t just another series launch; it’s the arrival of a cultural icon reimagined for television.
Suspenseful. Layered. Unforgettable.
Scarpetta premieres exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
