In case you’re a Patricia Cornwell fan, you understand Kay Scarpetta.
Cornwell’s work with that character was so influential in my life that I can bear in mind precisely the place I used to be when studying sure novels.
However I can’t lie. The final particular person I wished to play Kay was Nicole Kidman.
So, the deal is that the collection has landed a two-season cope with Prime Video. Kidman will play Kay, and Jamie Lee Curtis will play her sister, Dorothy.
5 others have additionally been added to the collection, together with Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale, Emmy nominee Simon Baker, Rosy McEwen, and Jake Cannavale.
However in relation to Kidman, I’ve been complaining rather a lot these days. She’s grow to be THE go-to lady for restricted collection, and he or she’s overutilized to distraction.
Usually, she’s taking part in a rich lady with a sure perspective. Her roles don’t differ a lot from collection to collection, and it typically looks like for those who’ve seen one, you’ve seen all of them.
So, Scarpetta may very well be a solution to shake her out of her on-screen doldrums.
We’ve mentioned the brand new drawback of TV counting on stars somewhat than making them, and Kidman’s TV domination is indicative of that.
Kay Scarpetta is scrappy, will get her palms soiled, and is extremely clever and a savvy investigator. She’s meticulous and hard, however she’s additionally compassionate.
Her look has been described as an athletically constructed blonde. Frankly, I imagined her considerably like Jodie Foster.
Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy would have been a superb match with Foster, however not as a lot with Kidman.
Now, don’t get me incorrect. I get pleasure from a whole lot of Kidman’s work. However when a face turns into too acquainted, popping up in each different new present, we’ve bought an issue.
Sooner or later, exhibits endure as a result of folks affiliate a personality with an actor somewhat than permitting a personality to blossom by itself.
This can be a case the place a lesser-known actor may have made a big affect by turning into Kay Scarpetta. Kidman comes with numerous on-screen (albeit worthwhile) baggage, and that may grow to be a part of Scarpetta’s legacy.
Right here’s the official logline for the collection:
[Scarpetta] “follows Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), the Chief Medical Examiner, as she returns to Virginia and resumes her former place with advanced relationships, each private {and professional} — together with her sister Dorothy (Curtis), with loads of grudges and secrets and techniques to uncover.”
It’s simple to know why Kidman and Curtis wish to convey the Scarpetta collection to the display screen. Kay is good and lively, a uncommon character with a sturdy private {and professional} life.
“I’ve wished to convey Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta to a display screen with my firm, Comet Photos, for some time,” Curtis stated. “I’m notably excited that Nicole Kidman will lastly convey her to life.
“I’m additionally trying ahead to taking part in Nicole’s sister as we inform the story with Liz Sarnoff’s professional care, management, ability, and expertise, and I’m excited to work once more with David as our director.
“I do know the ardent followers of the books will probably be very glad, and the brand new viewers will probably be compelled by the characters, crimes, and mysteries which are the trifecta of Patricia’s masterful storytelling.
“Blumhouse, Blossom, and Prime Video are the proper companions to convey Scarpetta to you and a warning……..there WILL be BLOOD.”
Curtis appears to know the story and the character effectively. So why didn’t she love Scarpetta sufficient to present the character company somewhat than permitting it to grow to be a star automobile?
If I’m not thrilled with the casting, Cornwell disagrees. And Scarpetta is most positively her legacy.
“I’m past excited that that is lastly taking place. This will probably be nice enjoyable for all, and I’m grateful for the immense expertise that the present is drawing. I’ve at all times been an enormous fan of Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman.
“Their wanting to do that is humbling and easily superior. Working with the good Liz Sarnoff is superb. Blumhouse and Prime Video are a dream. This has been price ready for, and I’m so trying ahead to the present,” Cornwell stated.
Kidman, too, has nice love for the character.
She stated, “I’ve been pursuing Scarpetta for practically twenty years going again to when it was meant to be a function, so … [it] feels prefer it was meant to be. I can not wait to inhabit Kay Scarpetta and am so grateful to Patricia Cornwell for entrusting me along with her,” Kidman stated.
So, whereas I’ll upset, lots of you’re in all probability delighted.
In truth, I’ll nonetheless watch. I hope the collection is devoted and provides sudden ranges to the books. I even hope it lasts many seasons.
Cornwell, the followers, and Scarpetta deserve that.
