Nicole Kidman stars in Scarpetta, a new crime series debuting on Prime Video, with the premiere set for March 11, 2026. The show follows Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, plunging her into a layered narrative that explores her career as a chief medical examiner while unravelling a complex murder case.
Official Premiere Date Announced for Scarpetta
Prime Video has confirmed that Scarpetta will launch on March 11, 2026. Viewers will be introduced to a dual-timeline structure, tracing Dr. Kay Scarpetta’s journey from the late 1990s to her contemporary return home, where her pursuit of justice leads her back to her roots and a disturbing new homicide investigation. Kidman anchors the story as Scarpetta, who is determined to bring closure to victims and clear her name, ensuring the legacy of her past does not undo her present.
“determined to serve as the voice of the victims, unmask a serial killer, and prove that her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing.”
— Kay Scarpetta, main character
Plot Structure Explores Past and Present
The series intertwines two periods in Scarpetta’s career. Audiences watch her rise as a medical examiner in the late ’90s and her subsequent return years later, where she steps back into a familiar but complicated role. Relationships with family members and colleagues, such as her sister Dorothy Farinelli and Detective Pete Marino, add further depth to her character as she faces unresolved personal and professional conflicts.
“This dual narrative explores Kay Scarpetta’s journey from her beginnings as a chief medical examiner in the late ’90s to her present-day return to her hometown, where she resumes her former position while investigating a grisly murder. As Scarpetta pursues justice, she must navigate complicated relationships, including the fraught dynamic with her sister, Dorothy Farinelli, confront long-held professional and personal grudges, and face secrets that threaten to unravel everything she’s built.”
— Official Series Overview
Ensemble Cast and Creative Team
Nicole Kidman leads as Scarpetta, joined by Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Farinelli, Bobby Cannavale as Detective Pete Marino, Simon Baker as Benton Wesley, and Ariana DeBose as Lucy Watson. The series also features Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish in roles depicting the younger versions of main characters during the earlier timeline.
Scarpetta was developed for television by Liz Sarnoff, known for her work on Alcatraz and HBO’s Barry. The show draws inspiration from Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling series, which has reached 120 million copies sold globally. Executive producers include Sarnoff, Kidman, Curtis, Cornwell, Per Saari, Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, Chris McCumber, David Gordon Green, and Amy Sayres. David Gordon Green directed five episodes, shaping much of the series’ tone alongside Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television.
Production Details and Industry Impact
The production brings together notable companies such as Blossom Films, Comet Pictures, and P&S Projects. With a high-profile cast, experienced showrunners, and a legacy built on Cornwell’s novels, Scarpetta is positioned to draw considerable attention when it debuts. Fans of forensic crime dramas and those familiar with Kidman’s and Cornwell’s work may find the adaptation of Scarpetta especially significant in the current landscape of streaming crime series.
As the premiere draws closer, the release of first-look images credited to Connie Chornuk builds anticipation for what could become a pivotal series for Prime Video. Scarpetta’s layered mystery, strong ensemble, and connection to a widely recognized literary franchise may set a new standard for crime storytelling on television.
