MOVIE NEWS – Over the past few years, Reacher has stood as Prime Video’s most successful book adaptation, dominating streaming charts and turning Alan Ritchson from the goofy face of Blue Mountain State into a globally recognized action star. With a fourth season and a spinoff titled Neagley on the way, Amazon is already preparing its next major adaptation: Scarpetta.
Based on Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling book series of the same name, Scarpetta is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 11, 2026. The series stars Nicole Kidman as Kay Scarpetta, a highly skilled forensic pathologist who relies on cutting-edge forensic technology to unravel complex crimes. Of Italian descent, Scarpetta frequently moves between different regions as her work pulls her into a wide range of investigations. The show is developed by Liz Sarnoff, known for her work on Lost and Barry, and also features Jamie Lee Curtis as Kay’s older sister.
A Deep Literary Well to Draw From
Much like Reacher, Scarpetta benefits from an extensive body of source material. Lee Child wrote 30 novels and short stories centered on Jack Reacher, allowing the Prime Video series to potentially run for years as long as audience demand remains, especially since each season adapts just one book. Scarpetta is in a similar position, as Patricia Cornwell has penned 29 novels about Kay Scarpetta, with the most recent published in 2025.
The idea of adapting Scarpetta for the screen has circulated for decades. In 1992, Demi Moore was attached to star in a film centered on the iconic investigator, but the project was ultimately abandoned. Momentum returned in 2009 when The Guardian reported that Fox 2000 had acquired the screen rights to all existing novels in hopes of replicating the success of the Jason Bourne franchise. That plan also fell apart, and it wasn’t until 2023 that the wheels truly began turning.
Viewers should expect a slow-burning forensic thriller rather than a punch-heavy action series like Reacher, more in line with Maggie Q’s Ballard. Scarpetta commands attention with her intellect instead of brute force, and few actors are better suited to that role than Nicole Kidman, who brings five Oscar nominations and three Emmy nominations to the project. Alongside her is Jamie Lee Curtis, an Oscar winner with two Emmy nominations, ensuring performances of exceptional caliber.
Nicole Kidman’s Television Renaissance Continues
For much of her career, Nicole Kidman was firmly established as a movie star, rarely venturing into television. That changed in the late 2010s when she embraced the medium with the Emmy-winning drama Big Little Lies. Since then, she has appeared in eight television series, including acclaimed titles such as The Undoing and Lioness.
Before Big Little Lies, Kidman’s last television appearance dated back to 1989 in the Australian miniseries Bangkok Hilton. It’s clear she had stayed away from a format that ultimately suited her perfectly, and once she returned, she fully committed. If all goes according to plan, Kidman could portray Kay Scarpetta for many years, much as Alan Ritchson has done with Reacher. Even if not, audiences can expect to see her continue to headline high-profile TV projects.
As Kidman deepens her focus on television, Amazon continues to mine popular novels for adaptation. Beyond Scarpetta, several other projects are in development without confirmed release dates, including Carrie, Off Campus, The Love Hypothesis, Fourth Wing, Verity, and The Deal. Anticipation remains high, leaving one key question hanging in the air: can Scarpetta become even bigger than Reacher?
Source: MovieWeb
