Prime Video has unveiled the official trailer for its highly anticipated crime thriller series Scarpetta, starring Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman in the title role. Based on Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling book series featuring the iconic forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the show is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video on March 11, 2026, with all eight episodes of the first season dropping at launch.
The series promises a gripping, multi-layered exploration of justice, trauma, and the human cost of obsession with truth. As the official synopsis describes: “With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, this unrelenting medical examiner is 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.” Set against the cutting-edge world of modern forensic investigation, Scarpetta goes beyond the autopsy table to delve into the psychological depths of both killers and those who hunt them, examining the heavy toll exacted by a relentless pursuit of justice.
In the newly released trailer, Kidman embodies Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant chief medical examiner who steps back into the high-stakes world of crime-solving years after stepping away—driven by unfinished business from her past. The footage teases a chilling new murder case that eerily links to a haunting investigation from nearly three decades earlier, suggesting the possibility of a long-dormant serial killer resurfacing or a past mistake coming back to haunt her.
The narrative masterfully weaves two alternating timelines: one following a young Kay Scarpetta (played by Rosy McEwen) in her early days as a determined medical examiner, and the other in the present, where Kidman’s Scarpetta confronts the ghosts of her career while tackling a fresh wave of violence. The dual structure builds suspense, drawing parallels between past and present to heighten the stakes of her current pursuit.
The trailer also offers the first extended look at an impressive, star-studded ensemble cast that brings depth and intensity to the story:
• Jamie Lee Curtis as Kay’s sister Dorothy, adding familial tension to the mix.
• Bobby Cannavale as former detective Pete Marino, Scarpetta’s gruff but loyal longtime collaborator.
• Ariana DeBose as Dorothy’s daughter (and Kay’s niece) Lucy, a tech-savvy addition to the investigative circle.
• Simon Baker as FBI profiler Benton Wesley, bringing behavioral expertise to the hunt.
• Sosie Bacon as reporter Abby Turnball.
• Janet Montgomery as Lucy’s wife Janet.
• Mike Vogel as attorney Bill Boltz.
• Anna Diop as cyber investigator Tron.
The younger versions of key characters appear as well, including Rosy McEwen as young Kay, Amanda Righetti as young Dorothy, Jake Cannavale as young Pete, and Hunter Parrish as young Benton—helping to flesh out the origins and evolution of these complex relationships.
Developed and written by Liz Sarnoff, with executive production from Kidman herself (via Blossom Films), Jamie Lee Curtis, and others—including Blumhouse Television—the series arrives as one of Prime Video’s most ambitious thriller adaptations in recent years. For fans of forensic procedurals, psychological depth, and high-caliber performances, Scarpetta looks poised to deliver a taut, intelligent crime drama that honors Cornwell’s legacy while offering fresh twists for a new audience.
Mark your calendars for March 11, 2026—the case that made Kay Scarpetta a legend could finally be the one that breaks her.
