If you’re a fan of Patricia Cornwell, you know Kay Scarpetta.
Cornwell’s work with that character was so influential in my life that I can remember exactly where I was when reading certain novels.
But I can’t lie. The last person I wanted to play Kay was Nicole Kidman.
So, the deal is that the series has a two-season deal with Prime Video. Nicole Kidman will play Kay, and Jamie Lee Curtis will play her sister Dorothy.
Five others have also been added to the series, including Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale, Emmy nominee Simon Baker, Rosie McEwan, and Jake Cannavale.
But when it comes to Kidman, I’ve been complaining a lot lately. She’s become the go-to woman in limited series, and she’s been overused as a distraction.
She usually plays a rich woman with a certain attitude. Her roles don’t vary much from one series to another, and sometimes you feel like you’ve watched one series, but you’ve watched them all.
So, Scarpetta may be a way for her to get out of her on-screen depression.
We’ve discussed the new problem of television’s reliance on stars rather than their industry, and Kidman’s dominance of television is evidence of that.
Kay Scarpetta is a strong, hard-working, incredibly intelligent girl and a brilliant detective. She is meticulous and strong, but also compassionate.
Her appearance was described as blonde with an athletic build. Honestly, I imagined her looking a bit like Jodie Foster.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s performance as Dorothy would have been a perfect fit for Foster, but it wasn’t for Kidman.
Well, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy Kidman’s work a lot. But when a face becomes so familiar, and shows up in every new show, then we have a problem.
At some point, shows suffer because people associate the character with the actor rather than allowing the character to flourish on its own.
This is a case where a lesser-known actor could have made a huge impact by becoming Kay Scarpetta. Kidman comes with a lot of on-screen baggage (albeit worthwhile), and that will become part of Scarpetta’s legacy.
Here is the official synopsis of the series:
[Scarpetta] “The film follows Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), the chief medical examiner, as she returns to Virginia and resumes her former position with complex relationships, both personal and professional – including her sister Dorothy (Curtis), with many grudges and secrets to uncover.”
It’s easy to see why Kidman and Curtis wanted to bring the Scarpetta series to the screen. Kay is a bright, vibrant character, a rare person with a strong personal and professional life.
“I’ve been wanting to bring Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta to the screen for a while now with my company Comet Pictures,” Curtis said. “I’m especially excited that Nicole Kidman will finally be able to bring her to the screen.”
“I also look forward to playing Nicole’s sister as we tell the story with Liz Sarnoff’s expert guidance, leadership, skill and talent, and I’m excited to once again work with David as our director.
“I know that die-hard fans of the books will be thrilled, and that new audiences will be drawn to the characters, crimes and mysteries that make up Patricia’s wonderful trilogy of stories.
“Blumhouse, Blossom and Prime Video are the perfect partners to bring you Scarpetta and a warning… there will be blood.”
Curtis seems to know the story and the character so well, so why didn’t she love Scarpetta enough to give the character agency instead of letting her become a star vehicle?
If I’m not happy with the casting, Cornwell disagrees. Scarpetta is certainly her legacy.
“I’m so excited for this to finally happen. It’s going to be so much fun for everyone, and I’m so grateful for the incredible talent the show has attracted. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman.
“Their desire to do this is simply humbling and wonderful. Working with the wonderful Liz Sarnoff is incredible. Blumhouse and Prime Video are a dream. This has been worth the wait, and I am so looking forward to the show,” said Cornwell.
Kidman also has a great love for the character.
“I’ve been following Scarpetta for about twenty years since it was supposed to be a feature film, so… [it] “I feel like it was meant to be. I can’t wait to live in Caye Scarpetta and I’m so grateful to Patricia Cornwell for entrusting it to me,” Kidman said.
So, while I may be disappointed, many of you are probably happy about it.
Honestly, I will continue watching it, and I hope that the series is faithful and adds unexpected levels to the books, and I even hope that it continues for several seasons.
Cornwell, the fans, and Scarpetta deserve it.
