Amazon Prime Video has officially ordered a series adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels with Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis set for the lead roles.

It was announced in February 2023 that the series, tentatively titled “Scarpetta,” was in development. Now, Amazon has greenlit two seasons of the series and expanded the cast with five additional actors. As previously revealed, Liz Sarnoff will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. The series is produced by Blumhouse Television and Amazon MGM Studios.

Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story,” “The Prom”), Bobby Cannavale (“Ezra,” “The Irishman”), Simon Baker (“Breath,” “Boy Swallows Universe”), Rosy McEwen (“Blue Jean”), and Jake Cannavale (“The Offer,” “American Sports Story”) will all star alongside Kidman and Curtis.

“Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta has captivated audiences for years, and I am honored that Prime Video has been chosen to bring the series to screens worldwide,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios. “We have assembled an exceptional team for this project, with Liz Sarnoff leading the way with a remarkable vision; the immensely talented Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the fantastic cast; and the top-notch team at Blumhouse.”

The official logline for the mystery-thriller series explains that it “follows Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), the Chief Medical Examiner, as she returns to Virginia and resumes her former position with complex relationships, both personal and professional – including her sister Dorothy (Curtis), with many grudges and secrets to uncover.”

“I have been eager to bring Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta to the screen, with my company, Comet Pictures, for some time,” Curtis said. “I am particularly thrilled that Nicole Kidman will finally bring her to life. I am also excited to portray Nicole’s sister as we tell the story with Liz Sarnoff’s expert care, leadership, skill, and talent, and I am eager to work again with David as our director. I know the dedicated fans of the books will be delighted, and the new audience will be drawn in by the characters, crimes, and mysteries that make up 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.”

Bobby Cannavale will portray former detective Pete Marino. Baker will play FBI profiler Benton Wesley. McEwen will portray Past Kay Scarpetta. DeBose will play Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Dorothy’s daughter. Jake Cannavale will appear as Past Pete Marino.

“I’m extremely excited that this is finally happening,” Cornwell shared. “This will be a lot of fun for everyone involved, and I’m thankful for the incredible talent that the show is attracting. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman. Their decision to join this project is humbling and fantastic. Collaborating with the brilliant Liz Sarnoff is amazing. Blumhouse and Prime Video are a dream team. This has been worth the wait, and I’m genuinely looking forward to the show.”

Cornwell is represented by CAA. Bobby Cannavale is represented by CAA and Framework Entertainment. Baker is represented by CAA, United Management in Australia, and Hamilton Hodell in the UK. Jake Cannavale is represented by Buchwald, Framework Entertainment, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham LLP. DeBose is represented by CAA, AC Management, The Lede Company, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. McEwen is represented by Curtis Brown Group, CAA, Public Eye Communications, and Goodman Genow.

”I have been pursuing ‘Scarpetta’ for nearly twenty years, dating back to when it was intended to be a film, so to join forces with the extraordinary Jamie Lee Curtis, Prime Video, Jason Blum, and David Gordon Green on Liz Sarnoff’s series adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s epic and thrilling books feels like destiny,” Kidman said. “I can't wait to step into the role of Kay Scarpetta and am so grateful to Patricia Cornwell for entrusting me with her creation.”

Kidman will serve as executive producer for Blossom Films, and Curtis will executive produce for Comet Pictures. As mentioned, Sarnoff will write, executive produce, and serve as showrunner. Cornwell will executive produce for P & S Projects alongside Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie, and Chris McCumber for Blumhouse Television and Per Saari for Blossom Films. David Gordon Green and Amy Sayres also serve as executive producers, with Green set to direct the first two episodes. The series is produced by Blumhouse Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with Blossom Films and Comet Pictures.

“I read Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta books with my Mother when they were first released in the ’90s,” said Sarnoff. “We enjoyed having a strong female ‘lead’ character to support and were impressed by the detailed, intricate, and highly captivating nature of Patricia’s storytelling. I am incredibly grateful and excited to be bringing these stories to the screen.”

“Patricia Cornwell’s best-selling Kay Scarpetta series is loved by millions, and we’re thrilled to finally bring this iconic character to audiences around the world with this incredible team,” added Jason Blum. “Liz, Nicole, Jamie Lee, Patricia, and David share a passion for this show and this character, and we’re grateful to our partners at Prime Video for supporting their vision.”

There are currently 27 books in the Kay Scarpetta series, starting with “Postmortem.” That book was initially published in 1990, with the most recent book, “Unnatural Death,” being released in 2023.

This is another Amazon series adapted from a popular book series. The streaming platform also currently features: “Reacher” starring Alan Ritchson, based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels; “Bosch: Legacy,” based on Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books; “The Wheel of Time,” based on Robert Jordan’s book series of the same name; “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” adapted from Jenny Han's novel trilogy; and forthcoming series like “Cross,” based on James Patterson’s Alex Cross books, as well as the Renee Ballard series, also based on a series of books by Connelly.