Prime Video’s ‘Scarpetta’- Where You Recognize Every Actor From

Fans have been waiting for Scarpetta, and the new crime drama based on Patricia Cornwell’s popular book series is arriving on Amazon Prime Video on March 11, 2026. The show is developed by Liz Sarnoff, a writer with experience on acclaimed series like NYPD Blue, Deadwood, Lost, and Barry. Currently, there’s only one eight-episode season planned, and whether it continues will depend on viewership. However, considering the books’ success, the series is expected to be a hit.

The series features Nicole Kidman as Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant investigator who uses cutting-edge forensic science to crack difficult cases. Scarpetta often moves between cities to solve crimes, and the character was inspired by real-life former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Marcella Farinelli Fierro. You might recognize some of the actors in the main cast, so here’s a look at their previous work.

Nicole Kidman

Warner Bros.

Nicole Kidman is a hugely successful and recognizable actress, with a career spanning iconic films like Eyes Wide Shut and Babygirl. She’s won numerous awards – an Oscar, a BAFTA, six Golden Globes, and two Emmys – and is rare in her ability to shine in both movies and TV shows. That versatility makes her an ideal fit for the role of Kay Scarpetta.

Nicole Kidman wasn’t cast simply because she’s a well-known actress. She has a strong history of playing compelling female investigators and champions of justice in movies and television. She gave a particularly memorable performance as a troubled detective in Destroyer, and her work as an Assistant District Attorney in Secret in Their Eyes was also highly praised. Despite the Emmys often overlooking police dramas, Kidman could be a dark horse candidate and win an award for Scarpetta.

Jamie Lee Curtis

A24

Jamie Lee Curtis portrays Kay’s sister, Dorothy Scarpetta, in the series Scarpetta. Like Nicole Kidman, Curtis is a well-known actress with a long and successful career, including memorable roles in films like True Lies and Everything Everywhere All at Once. She’s also famous for her work in horror movies, earning her the title of “scream queen,” especially for her appearances in the Halloween films.

Give Curtis any role, and she’ll undoubtedly elevate it. Not only is she naturally talented, but she comes from a Hollywood legacy – her parents are iconic actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She understands truly great acting, so prepare to either fall in love with her character, Dorothy, or completely despise her.

Ariana DeBose

Sony Pictures Releasing

Ariana DeBose became well-known after starring in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film, West Side Story, for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She first gained attention as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance in 2009, reaching the top 20. More recently, she played Lucy Farinelli-Watson in Scarpetta.

Ariana DeBose, fresh off her Oscar win, was a natural fit for this role. She has a strong background in family-focused stories, having previously played a daughter hiding her true self in The Prom and a caring granddaughter in Wish. But she’s also versatile and can convincingly portray villains, as seen in her role as the Marvel character Calypso Ezili in Kraven the Hunter.

Bobby Cannavale

HBO

You probably recognize Bobby Cannavale – he first gained attention playing paramedic Roberto “Bobby” Caffey on the TV series Third Watch. He’s since won Emmy Awards for his roles in Will & Grace (2005) and the popular HBO drama Boardwalk Empire (2013). Now, he’s taking on the role of Pete Marino, a former detective and longtime friend of Kay Scarpetta.

By now, Cannavale has likely learned a lot about playing a police officer – perhaps even as much as some real cops! He’s portrayed law enforcement characters in films like Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp, MaXXXine, Jolt, and many others. While it might seem like he’s always cast in these roles, he clearly enjoys them. He’s expected to perfectly capture Pete’s defining characteristics from the source material, especially his tendency to be overly critical and say whatever’s on his mind. Interestingly, the actor playing Bobby’s son, Jake, will also appear as a younger version of his father in certain scenes.

Simon Baker

CBS via Hulu

I’m really excited about Simon Baker’s new role as FBI profiler Benton Wesley in Scarpetta! I’ve been a fan of his for ages – I especially loved him in The Guardian, and he was brilliant enough to get a Golden Globe nomination for that! Of course, a lot of you probably know him from The Mentalist, where he even snagged an Emmy nomination. And it’s not just TV, he’s been in some fantastic films too, like L.A. Confidential, The Devil Wears Prada, and Margin Call. He’s a seriously versatile actor.

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Given his fantastic performance in The Mentalist, Baker is a natural fit for the role of Benton Wesley. He just needs to bring that same captivating charm to this part. The character is Scarpetta’s main love interest, so viewers can anticipate some compelling romantic tension. Baker also has the range to play darker, more troubled sides of the character, as seen in the Australian film Limbo, where he plays a detective battling addiction.

The Supporting Cast of ‘Scarpetta’

The casting for Scarpetta is excellent, and the supporting actors are just as strong. Sosie Bacon stars as Abby Turnball, an award-winning reporter, and you might recognize her from roles in Narcos: Mexico, Smile, and 13 Reasons Why. Janet Montgomery plays Lucy’s wife, adding an interesting LGBTQ+ storyline, and she’s known for her work on New Amsterdam. Tiya Sircar joins the cast as a police officer, and fans will remember her from the comedy The Good Place. Rounding out the cast is Anna Diop, who played the superhero Starfire in Titans; in Scarpetta, she’s an FBI cyber investigator. Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the show?

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2026-03-10 20:08