On March 8, 2025, Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to announce the exhilarating news that filming for Season 1 of Prime Video’s Scarpetta had officially wrapped in Nashville, Tennessee. The series, a highly anticipated adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling Kay Scarpetta novels, stars Nicole Kidman as the brilliant forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta and Curtis as her vivacious sister, Dorothy Farinelli. Accompanying Curtis’s announcement was a spoiler-free behind-the-scenes image, capturing the excitement of bringing Cornwell’s iconic character to the screen. With a star-studded cast, a two-season order, and a creative team led by showrunner Liz Sarnoff, Scarpetta is shaping up to be a gripping addition to Prime Video’s lineup. Here’s a deep dive into the filming wrap, the new image, the series’ premise, and what fans can expect from this thrilling crime drama.

A Milestone Moment for Scarpetta

Curtis’s Instagram post was a heartfelt celebration of the collaborative effort behind Scarpetta. “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE A TV SHOW FROM A GREAT BOOK SERIES COME TO SCREEN LIFE! #scarpetta SEASON ONE IS DONE FOR JLC and I COULDN’T BE A PROUDER PRODUCER/ACTOR!” she wrote, sharing a glimpse from the set that avoided revealing plot details but radiated the production’s energy. The image, described as “spoiler-safe,” showed Curtis in a moment of joy, hinting at the dynamic atmosphere on set. Her enthusiasm underscored the significance of wrapping Season 1, a milestone nearly two decades in the making for both Curtis and Kidman, who have long championed the project.

Filming began in October 2024 in Nashville, slightly delayed from an initial September start, and wrapped in March 2025 after several months of intense production. The choice of Nashville as a filming location, standing in for Richmond, Virginia, adds a Southern gothic flavor to the series, aligning with the atmospheric tension of Cornwell’s novels. Curtis’s post also highlighted the “village” of talent involved, from the cast to the crew, including director David Gordon Green, who helmed the first two episodes, and showrunner Liz Sarnoff, whose work on Barry and Lost brings a sharp edge to the adaptation.

The First Look and Cast Chemistry

The first official images of Scarpetta appeared in a Prime Video sizzle reel on May 30, 2025, offering a glimpse of Kidman as Kay Scarpetta, meticulously examining evidence in a morgue, and Curtis as Dorothy, exuding a chaotic, glamorous energy with her French-tipped manicure and vibrant wardrobe. At the 45-second mark of the reel, Kidman’s steely focus as Kay contrasts with Curtis’s lively portrayal of Dorothy, setting up their “combative relationship” as a central dynamic. The reel, paired with Curtis’s wrap announcement, has fueled anticipation for a series that promises forensic precision, psychological suspense, and family drama.

The cast is a powerhouse, featuring Ariana DeBose as Lucy Farinelli-Watson, Dorothy’s tech-savvy daughter; Bobby Cannavale as former detective Pete Marino; Simon Baker as FBI profiler Benton Wesley; Rosy McEwen as a younger Kay; and Jake Cannavale, Bobby’s real-life son, as a younger Pete. Recurring roles include Sosie Bacon as reporter Abby Turnball, Amanda Righetti as a younger Dorothy, Janet Montgomery as Lucy’s wife Janet, Stephanie Faracy as Kay’s assistant Maggie, and Mike Vogel as city attorney Bill Boltz. Additional actors like Tiya Sircar, Anna Diop, Graham Phillips, and Charlie B. Foster as morgue assistant Wingo round out the ensemble, promising a rich tapestry of characters. The casting of Jake Cannavale alongside his father adds a meta layer to the series, mirroring the family themes at its core.

The Premise: Forensic Intrigue and Family Secrets

Scarpetta follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), a brilliant forensic pathologist who returns to her former role as Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Inspired by real-life medical examiner Marcella Farinelli Fierro, Kay uses advanced forensic technology to solve complex crimes, from murders to mysterious deaths, while navigating personal and professional challenges. The series centers on her return to Virginia, where she confronts office politics, gruesome cases, and a fraught relationship with her sister, Dorothy (Curtis), described as a “maneater” with a penchant for chaos. The official logline promises “plenty of grudges and secrets to uncover,” suggesting that family tensions will intertwine with Kay’s investigations, creating a narrative that’s as much about emotional stakes as it is about solving crimes.

Cornwell’s novels, starting with Postmortem in 1990, have sold over 100 million copies, making Kay Scarpetta a cultural icon. The series won’t begin with Postmortem but is likely to draw from later books like Body of Evidence or All That Remains, given the focus on Kay’s Virginia homecoming and flashbacks featuring younger versions of Kay and Dorothy. The show’s blend of forensic science, psychological depth, and family drama has drawn comparisons to CSI meets Big Little Lies, with Curtis warning, “There WILL be blood.” Fans can expect intense morgue scenes, intricate mysteries, and a sibling dynamic that Curtis describes as full of “good conflict.”

Behind the Scenes: A Dream Team

The creative team behind Scarpetta is a major draw. Liz Sarnoff, known for Barry and Lost, serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer, bringing her knack for layered storytelling. David Gordon Green, who directed Curtis in the recent Halloween trilogy, helms the first two episodes, ensuring a cinematic quality. Kidman and Curtis, through their respective production companies, Blossom Films and Comet Pictures, are executive producers alongside Cornwell, Jason Blum, and others from Blumhouse Television and Amazon MGM Studios. Cornwell, famously protective of her creation, has praised the team, saying, “I’ve always been a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman. Their wanting to do this is humbling and simply awesome.”

Kidman, who has pursued the role of Kay for nearly 20 years, told The Hollywood Reporter, “To unite with the formidable Jamie Lee Curtis, Prime Video, Jason Blum, and David Gordon Green on the Liz Sarnoff series version of Patricia Cornwell’s epic and thrilling books feels like it was meant to be.” Curtis, a longtime fan of the novels, secured the rights through Comet Pictures in 2021 and roped in Kidman, recalling to Us Weekly how Kidman insisted, “But you’re going to be in it with me, right?” Their shared passion and hands-on involvement as producers signal a commitment to honoring Cornwell’s vision while crafting a fresh take for TV.

Fan Reactions and Casting Debates

The wrap announcement and first look have sparked lively discussion among fans of Cornwell’s novels. While Kidman and Curtis are celebrated for their star power, some fans on X and forums like TVLine have questioned Kidman’s casting, citing her height and demeanor as a mismatch for the petite, tough-as-nails Kay. Suggestions like Gillian Anderson, Edie Falco, or even Curtis herself as Kay have surfaced, with one X user noting, “Jamie Lee Curtis would’ve been a better Scarpetta, but I’m here for her as Dorothy.” Others, however, are thrilled, with a fan posting, “Kidman and Curtis as sisters? This is gonna be a 10/10!” The casting of DeBose as Lucy and Cannavale as Marino has been widely praised, though some worry the series might deviate from the books’ early timeline.

Curtis’s portrayal of Dorothy has generated near-universal excitement, with fans eager to see her bring the “flighty” sister to life. Her comments to PEOPLE about disliking the need to “look cute” as Dorothy—complete with French tips and a sexy, fashionable wardrobe—suggest a character who’s both entertaining and exasperating, a perfect foil to Kay’s seriousness. The inclusion of flashbacks, with McEwen and Righetti as younger Kay and Dorothy, adds depth to their backstory, promising to explore the roots of their “grudges and secrets.”

What’s Next for Scarpetta

With filming wrapped, Scarpetta is now in post-production, targeting a premiere in Q1 2026 (January–March) on Prime Video. The series has a two-season order, each with eight episodes, signaling Amazon’s confidence in its potential. Curtis shared at the Prime Video Upfronts that the show is “glorious” to work on, both as an actor and producer, while Kidman called it “terrifying” in a good way, hinting at the intense, bloody cases to come. The Nashville setting, standing in for Richmond, will likely enhance the show’s moody atmosphere, with fans on X speculating about how the city’s vibe will shape the storytelling.

The series aims to appeal to both longtime fans and new viewers, balancing fidelity to Cornwell’s novels with fresh twists. Sarnoff’s experience with character-driven dramas and Green’s knack for suspense suggest a show that’s both cerebral and visceral. As one X user put it, “Kay Scarpetta on screen with Kidman and Curtis? I’m ready for the blood and family drama!” The combination of forensic intrigue, a stellar cast, and a focus on Kay and Dorothy’s volatile relationship positions Scarpetta as a must-watch for fans of Mare of Easttown or Mindhunter.

Final Thoughts

The wrap of Scarpetta Season 1 marks a significant step toward bringing Patricia Cornwell’s forensic sleuth to life, with Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis leading a stellar cast. Curtis’s enthusiastic announcement and the first look images have heightened anticipation for a series that promises to blend gruesome mysteries with raw family dynamics. From Kidman’s intense portrayal of Kay to Curtis’s vibrant take on Dorothy, Scarpetta is poised to deliver a thrilling mix of crime, science, and emotion. As post-production continues, fans eagerly await the Q1 2026 premiere on Prime Video, ready to dive into a world of blood, secrets, and sisterly conflict that will keep them hooked late into the night.