Nicole Kidman’s productivity is a phenomenon in its own right Scarpetta, the new Prime Video series starring the Australian actress, is proving a hit with everyone

Between film and television, Nicole Kidman is tireless, constantly thrown into a new project that can lead her to win awards such as the Volpi Cup in Venice for a provocative film like Babygirl, or to become a forensic pathologist reopening a case from about twenty-five years earlier in the Prime Video show Scarpetta.

The eight episodes are an adaptation of the novel series by writer Patricia Cornwell, consisting of twenty-nine books, which strongly suggests a continuation of the story with a second season. This is due to the cast involved, the sheer amount of material available, the fact that the title quickly became one of the most-watched on the platform, and above all because of a finale that ends with a major and brutal cliffhanger.

A renewed commitment

Between cinema and TV series, Nicole Kidman is tireless. Constantly catapulted into new projects, she moves from winning awards such as the Volpi Cup in Venice to starring in controversial films like Babygirl, to becoming a forensic pathologist who must reopen a case from about twenty-five years earlier in the new Prime Video show, Scarpetta. The series, an adaptation of the literary saga by Patricia Cornwell consisting of twenty-nine books, already suggests the arrival of a second season. The title quickly became one of the most watched on the platform, also thanks to a finale that ends with a major and brutal cliffhanger.

A renewed commitment

By taking part in Scarpetta in the role of the protagonist Kay, Kidman continues to honor her promise to commit to working with as many female professionals in the entertainment industry as possible. A pledge largely fulfilled: in 2025, the actress had collaborated on nineteen projects directed by women over the course of eight years, also insisting on having a female director at the helm of an anticipated 2026 sequel, Practical Magic 2, eventually entrusted to Danish director Susanne Bier.

Scarpetta also embodies the principles of Nicole Kidman's feminist vision, both in its storyline and in its production methods. Most of the episodes are directed by David Gordon Green, but alternating behind the camera are also Charlotte Brändström and Ellen Kuras, while the show is created by Elizabeth Sarnoff, an Emmy-nominated writer for series such as Lost and Barry.

A different kind of crime

The show follows the most classic rules of television crime, which are at times reworked and presented in a new light. The result is a hybrid that turns the adaptation of Cornwell's famous and beloved saga into a compelling and successful blend, where two parallel aims intersect: on one hand, the desire to bring to Prime Video a modern product with a high-level cast and smooth writing; on the other, making the framework of Scarpetta as recognizable as possible, that of investigations surrounding a serial killer. Added to this are a dysfunctional and intricate family dynamic, a tense relationship between sisters, and the use of AI as a substitute for life, moving back and forth in the narrative to keep pace with the investigation (which shifts between past and present), and with the threads that connect and shape the relationships between the characters.

A female portrait

Scarpetta is thus the personal story of the protagonist Kay and how her return to her hometown has disrupted the certainties of her life, both professionally and personally. It is mainstream entertainment, accessible to as many viewers as possible, but it is also a portrayal of the professions and roles that women occupy in society. For instance, the fact that their being victims is often a prerogative for many serial killers, and that even when they are not the target, they still experience gender-based violence perpetrated every day and in any place, especially in workplaces. A product in line with Nicole Kidman's goals, less sophisticated than other titles she has been involved in, yet perhaps more engaging, capable of appealing both to a fan audience and to those who simply want to spend time with some good crime.

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By taking part in Scarpetta in the role of protagonist Kay, Kidman continues to honor her promise to work with as many women professionals in the entertainment industry as possible. A pledge she has largely kept: by 2025, the actress had collaborated on nineteen projects directed by women over eight years, also insisting on having a female director for the direction of a highly anticipated 2026 sequel, Practical Magic 2, ultimately entrusted to Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier.

Scarpetta also embodies the principles of Nicole Kidman's feminist vision, both in its narrative and production methods. Although most episodes are directed by David Gordon Green, known for the Halloween reboot (thus reuniting with Jamie Lee Curtis in the cast), other directors include Charlotte Brändström and Ellen Kuras, while the show is created by Elizabeth Sarnoff, an Emmy-nominated writer for series such as Lost and Barry.

A different kind of crime

The show follows the most classic rules of television crime, which are at times reworked and reframed in a new light. This hybrid result makes the adaptation of Cornwell's beloved and famous saga a compelling and successful blend, where two parallel dimensions overlap and intersect. On one side, the desire to bring a modern product to Prime Video with a high-level cast and smooth writing; on the other, using Scarpetta as a recognizable framework, built around serial killer investigations that audiences are familiar with and can easily engage in.

A dual nature that reflects the identity of Scarpetta: striving to be a well-written, well-directed series with strong editing suggestions, while also allowing viewers who have just finished rewatching Law & Order to turn to something new. Added to this is a dysfunctional and intricate family dynamic, a tense relationship between sisters, and the use of AI as a substitute for life, moving back and forth in the narrative to follow both the investigation (which shifts between past and present) and the threads that connect and shape the relationships between characters.

A female portrait

Scarpetta thus becomes the personal story of its protagonist Kay, and how returning to her hometown disrupts the certainties of both her professional and personal life. It is mainstream entertainment, accessible to a wide audience, but also a reflection on the roles women occupy in society, including how being victims is often a prerogative assigned to them by many serial killers, and how, even when not targeted, they are still subjected to gender-based violence on a daily basis and in every context, particularly in the workplace. A product aligned with Nicole Kidman's goals, less sophisticated than some of her previous projects yet perhaps more gripping, capable of engaging both a loyal fanbase and viewers simply looking to enjoy some good crime.