Alan Ritchson in Reacher on Prime©Amazon / Courtesy Everett Collection
By
Chris McPherson
Published Feb 6, 2026, 6:58 PM EST
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For the past few years, Reacher has been Prime Video’s undisputed book-adaptation champ. It’s dominated streaming charts, spawned a spinoff (Neagley), and turned Alan Ritchson from “that guy from Blue Mountain State” into a full-blown global action star. While Season 4 and the spin-off are still on the horizon, Amazon is already lining up its next prestige upgrade — and this one hits very differently. Enter Scarpetta.
Based on the long-running novel series by Patricia Cornwell, Scarpetta premieres on Prime Video on March 11, 2026, with Nicole Kidman leading the series as Kay Scarpetta: a brilliant forensic pathologist who solves crimes using intellect, science, and cutting-edge technology rather than brute force. This one's gonna have less bar fights, and more autopsies that quietly ruin everyone’s day.
As for who she is? Scarpetta is a globe-trotting investigator of Italian descent, moving from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as cases demand. The series is being developed by Liz Sarnoff, whose résumé includes Lost and Barry, which is a pretty strong signal that this won’t be a paint-by-numbers procedural. Jamie Lee Curtis co-stars as Kay’s older sister, rounding out a cast that’s already doing the most on paper.
How Many Scarpetta Novels Are There?
One of Reacher’s biggest advantages is volume. Lee Child wrote 30 novels and short stories about Jack Reacher, which means Prime Video could theoretically keep the series running forever if the audience sticks around. Scarpetta is working with the same kind of literary runway. Cornwell has written 29 Kay Scarpetta novels, with the most recent released in 2025. Prime Video won't struggle to find stories to produce. And that's why a TV series makes perfect sense, because Hollywood has tried — and failed — to crack Scarpetta before.
In 1992, a feature film starring Demi Moore was planned but quietly fell through, while in 2009, Fox 2000 acquired the screen rights to replicate the success of the Bourne franchise. That version also collapsed, to the surprise of nobody. It wasn’t until 2023 that the gears finally started turning for a proper screen adaptation, and TV was always the right format for it. As for what we should expect? Probably something closer to Ballard — a slow-burn forensic thriller where tension comes from psychology, evidence, and moral pressure, not punches. Although there will be some of those, too.
Subscribe for Scarpetta coverage and adaptation analysis
Dig into Scarpetta's adaptation by subscribing to our newsletter for thoughtful analysis of character, forensic storytelling, and how Patricia Cornwell's novels translate to screen - essential context for fans of book-to-screen dramas. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Scarpetta arrives next month, on March 11, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video.
Scarpetta
Like Drama Release Date March 11, 2026 Network Prime Video Directors David Gordon GreenCast
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Nicole Kidman
Kay Scarpetta
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Jamie Lee Curtis
Dorothy
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Bobby Cannavale
Pete Marino
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Simon Baker
Benton Wesley
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Reacher
Subscribe for Scarpetta coverage and adaptation analysis
Dig into Scarpetta's adaptation by subscribing to our newsletter for thoughtful analysis of character, forensic storytelling, and how Patricia Cornwell's novels translate to screen - essential context for fans of book-to-screen dramas. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.What To Watch
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