Blumhouse Television and Comet Pictures – Jamie Lee Curtis’ production company, who Blumhouse has a first look deal with for film and television – have secured the highly-pursued rights to Patricia Cornwell’s “Kay Scarpetta” crime thrillers. The companies are developing an ongoing, one-hour scripted drama series around Scarpetta, the fictional, brilliant and beautiful, forensic pathologist, who is the protagonist in the popular series of Cornwell’s crime novels.
“I’ve had the honor and pleasure of knowing Jamie for a number of years, and have come to respect her hugely as an artist and a stellar human being. Blumhouse is a creative force of nature, and I’m confident that Scarpetta is going to make it to the screen in a fantastic way,” said Patricia Cornwell. “To say I’m thrilled is an understatement, and I have no doubt my readers will feel the same!”
“Patricia Cornwell is a bonafide literary trailblazer, and collaborating with her to bring her beloved character Kay Scarpetta to life through the power of television and to introduce her to an entirely new audience is exciting,” said executive producer Jamie Lee Curtis. “The confluence of Blumhouse and Comet bringing to life a dark, fun and layered work world and family life, spearheaded by the smart and sexy indomitable Kay Scarpetta is going to be a thrilling ride.”
“We are so honored to be partnering with one of the most successful authors in history in Patricia Cornwell,” said Chris McCumber, Blumhouse Television president. “Kay Scarpetta has been a much sought after character, for a long time, and we are excited to finally bring her to life on television. We are also grateful to Jamie Lee Curtis for connecting the Blumhouse team to Patricia, and to Patricia for trusting us with her iconic creation.”
Patricia Cornwell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Blum, Chris McCumber and Jeremy Gold will serve as executive producers. The series is a Blumhouse Television production.
Patricia Cornwell is recognized as one of the world’s top best selling crime authors with novels translated into thirty-six languages in more than 120 countries, with sales that surpass over 120 million books. The most famous and widely read of Cornwell’s works are the “Kay Scarpetta” thrillers, with her newest and 25th book in the series Autopsy, set to release in fall 2021. The upcoming, anticipated literary release is already garnering raves.
Cornwell has authored 29 New York Times best sellers. Her novels have won numerous prestigious awards including the Edgar, the Creasey, the Macavity, the Gold Dagger, Prix du Roman d’Aventure and the British Book award for Crime Thriller of the Year. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Patricia has written a definitive non-fiction account about Jack the Ripper, a biography, and 3 more fiction series among others. Cornwell, a licensed helicopter pilot and scuba diver, actively researches the worlds that inform her work. She was born in Miami, grew up in Montreat, North Carolina, and now lives and works in Boston.
