Prime Video’s new series Scarpetta is based on Patricia Cornwell’s popular novels that have captivated readers for over three decades. But having a familiar formula doesn’t always guarantee that a show will hit the mark.
Scarpetta: Stream or Skip?
Opening shot: The sound of an approaching train fills the air. A penny is placed on the tracks. As the train rushes by, there lies a naked woman’s body beside the tracks.
Key points: Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman) is about to be sworn in for her second term as Virginia’s chief medical examiner when she receives a call from Alexandria police officers Blaze Frouge (Tiya Sarkar) and August Ryan (David Hornsby) regarding a body found by the railroad. The woman’s hands are missing, and she’s been handcuffed. Kay becomes anxious when her brother-in-law, Pete Marino (Bobby Cannavale), arrives with news about her niece Lucy Farinelli-Watson (Ariana DeBose) and offers to assist.
Seeing that penny crushed brings back memories of her first tenure as chief coroner in 1998. Kay (played by Rosie McEwen) recalls being called by Pete (Jake Cannavale), who was a detective back then, to a home where a body was discovered in a similar situation. The most striking detail was how the body had a truss structure, which suffocated victims if they moved. Together, Kay and Pete were investigating several cases that suggested a serial killer was at work.
Pete speaks with the victim’s husband, actor Matt Peterson (Graham Phillips), questioning his quoting of Tennessee Williams instead of expressing sorrow for his wife. To aid in the investigation, FBI profiler Benton Wesley (Hunter Parrish) joins, and Kay is drawn to his intelligence and Southern charm.
Fast forward to the present, and Kay finds herself in conflict with her sister Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis), a well-known author and Lucy’s mother. As Lucy grew up, Dorothy was largely absent, leaving Kay to take on a maternal role. Lucy is grieving her wife, Janet (Janet Montgomery), and has even created an AI version of Janet to interact at Dorothy’s guest house. During Lucy’s birthday party, she discovers that Kay has married Benton (Simon Baker) and that Pete is now married to Dorothy, eager to return to investigate alongside Kay.
Which show do you remember? Developed by Liz Sarnoff, Scarpetta is based on Cornwell’s work, who even makes a cameo in the first episode alongside Curtis, Kidman, and Jason Blum. The series feels reminiscent of Cross, but revolves around the medical examiner.
Our view: While watching the time-bending plot of Scarpetta, we noticed something unusual. Despite the star-studded cast featuring Kidman, Curtis, DeBose, and Cannavale, we found ourselves more engaged with the 1998 timeline than the 2026 storyline.
The parallel narratives didn’t delve deeply into Kay’s character or her current life. Sure, we’re shown that her past incidents are resurfacing, but we’re given little insight into her career evolution or her reasons for returning to the Chief Medical Examiner’s office.
Some interactions between Kidman and Curtis felt somewhat off. Yes, Scarpetta aims to explore Kay’s chaotic family dynamic alongside her forensic work. We appreciate Curtis, but her portrayal of Dorothy comes off as a caricature reminiscent of her role in Bear: sociable, yet erratic and irresponsible.
Scenes showcasing young Kay caring for pre-teen Lucy (Savannah Loomer) emphasize their close bond, highlighting Lucy’s unstable relationship with her mother. Interactions among Curtis, Kidman, and DeBose often seem more about showcasing their skills rather than genuinely revealing Kay’s family dynamics.
Conversely, there is a genuine chemistry between McEwen, young Cannavale, and Parrish as the 1998 trio. Their interactions appear more authentic as they navigate a series of ritualistic murders. It also provides an interesting angle on the younger Kay, who embodies intelligence and maturity. If Kidman were tasked with portraying Kay in the current timeline, it might not resonate as well.
Featured performance: Rosie McEwen delivered a compelling portrayal of young Kay, adding depth to the character we see in the present.
Sex and skin: Aside from the presence of a naked corpse, Kay’s former and current assistant, Maggie Cutbush (Stephanie Faracy), communicates with her while she showers, clearly impacted by the crime scene.
Parting shot: In 1998, Peterson notices the stripped mattress where his wife was discovered. Fast forward to today, and Peterson (Anson Mount) reappears.
Sleeper Star: Jake Cannavale impressively captures the essence of young Pete, reminiscent of the father he plays in the present.
The most pilot-like line: During an argument with Dorothy, Kay remarks: “And you’re a vain, shallow, male-addicted narcissist who’s never seen a dick you don’t like or a mirror.”
Our call: I think we’d say stream it. It would have been intriguing if Scarpetta leaned more into a period drama featuring a younger Kay rather than the current timeline shifts. Still, there’s hope for an engaging modern narrative as Kay and her team revisit the serial killer case from the ’90s.
How to Watch Scarpetta
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