Jamie Lee Curtis Was “Like Professor X” In Personally Casting 2 Of Her Scarpetta Co-Stars

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Jamie Lee Curtis not only signed on to star in the Prime Video series Scarpetta, but she also helped choose two of the show’s main actors.

Okay, so I just finished watching this new series starring Nicole Kidman, and it’s a fascinating dive into the world of forensic pathology. Kidman plays Kay Scarpetta, a really sharp medical examiner who returns to her roots in Virginia after a long break. She takes on the top job and almost immediately finds herself embroiled in a disturbing case – a series of murders where the victims are found near train tracks. What’s particularly intriguing is that this new investigation seems to echo a case from her past, one that really defined her career. It’s a compelling setup, and Kidman really embodies the intelligence and dedication of this complex character.

In the crime thriller Scarpetta, Curtis plays Dorothy, the sister of the main character, and is also an executive producer alongside Nicole Kidman. The cast also features Bobby Cannavale, who has won two Emmys, as ex-detective Pete Marino, Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as Lucy, Dorothy’s daughter, Simon Baker (known for The Mentalist) as FBI profiler Benton Wesley, Kay’s husband, and Rosy McEwen (from Rabbit Trap) as a young Kay, along with many other talented actors.

To celebrate the launch of the show, Liam Crowley from ScreenRant spoke with Bobby Cannavale and Ariana DeBose about Scarpetta. They confirmed a report that Jamie Curtis was instrumental in getting them cast, with DeBose explaining that it’s typical for Curtis to be personally involved in assembling the cast for a project.

Ariana DeBose received a text message asking if she’d be interested in playing Jamie Lee Curtis’s daughter in a TV show, and she immediately said yes. She then called Curtis to clarify the offer, wanting to make sure she understood everything. After Curtis explained the details, DeBose confirmed she was still on board. She described Curtis as very direct and admitted it’s hard to refuse a request from someone like her.

Cannavale agreed with DeBose and jokingly said Curtis was like Professor X from X-Men, because she’s so good at building teams. He also remembered getting a text from the experienced actress offering him a role in Scarpetta as her husband. He was excited to accept the part, especially because she personally wanted to work with him.

Cannavale & DeBose Had A Real Joy Watching The Actors Of Their Characters’ Younger Selves

ScreenRant asked about the pride of working with his son on the show, particularly how special it was to play the same character alongside him.

It’s really exciting to see my son, Jake, having success in his career. As any parent would say, any time spent with your kids is precious, and even though he’s 30, I enjoy every moment. He’s been steadily building his career for years – he did great work on ‘The Offer’ a while back, and we actually worked together once before when he played my son on ‘Nurse Jackie’ – he was fantastic! He’s been doing Broadway, acting in various roles, and now he’s really getting his chance to shine. It’s a fun bonus that he’s playing a younger version of me, especially since people have always pointed out how much we resemble each other, even in our mannerisms and expressions. It’s a little strange sometimes, but the only downside is we don’t actually share any scenes together. Still, I’m incredibly happy and proud to be able to see him on screen.

ScreenRant commented on how much they enjoyed seeing both the younger and current versions of the main characters, noting the show’s mystery-thriller vibe reminded them of the first season of True Detective with McConaughey and Harrelson. They then asked Ariana DeBose what it’s like to have an actor portray a younger version of her character, and whether seeing that performance gives her new insights into the character, even though she doesn’t appear in those scenes.

Absolutely. It’s wonderful to see my daughter just be herself and explore creatively. They showed her some of my work, and she could incorporate elements if she wanted, but I also loved watching her develop the character in her own way. It was a really fun exchange – I got to observe her unique approach, and then I could build on her natural instincts with my own skills. It’s been great seeing her grow as a performer.

ScreenRant asked if the show draws from multiple Patricia Cornwell novels and, if the show continues, where the writers see the characters Pete and Lucy’s stories going next.

Ariana DeBose: I mean, Lucy could fly a helicopter and I would not be mad.

Bobby Cannavale: You get to do a lot of things like that. I need to drive cool trucks.

Ariana DeBose: In the books —

Bobby Cannavale: She does it all, right? She’s like MacGyver.

Ariana DeBose is incredibly talented and versatile. She joked about wanting the same level of support – specifically a helicopter, referencing a promotional stunt for another project – that Amazon, Blumhouse, and producer Liz sent to other stars.

I find the connection between Pete and Dr. Kay really compelling. It’s built on hidden and troubling things, and revealing those secrets bit by bit is what keeps viewers hooked and wanting to know more. I’m hoping the show continues to explore that relationship, and takes its time doing so.

Connie Chornuk/Prime

Ariana DeBose: We love a slow burn.

Bobby Cannavale: We just got to keep on wondering.

Ariana DeBose: Will they? Won’t they?

I’m always fascinated by the ‘what happened’ behind a story, especially when characters have a strange dynamic. What led these two people to act so oddly towards each other? I think the writer, Liz, really understands that core question and explores it beautifully.

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2026-03-11 01:40