Chanel Pre-Oscar Dinner Draws Nicole Kidman, Lily-Rose Depp The 17th annual Chanel pre-Oscar dinner, hosted by Charles Finch at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge, brought together a star-studded gathering of Oscar nominees, actors, musicians, directors, producers, and writers on the eve of the Academy Awards. The event featured fine dining, fashion showcases, and lively mingling among Hollywood’s elite. Guests arrived to enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres such as tuna tartare, caviar puffs, and pigs in a blanket, accompanied by cocktails, before settling in for dinner. The evening highlighted Chanel’s longstanding connection to cinema, a legacy rooted in its founder Gabrielle Chanel’s collaborations with pioneering filmmakers. Attendees, including Nicole Kidman, Lily-Rose Depp, Gracie Abrams, and Sarah Pidgeon, showcased the brand’s latest collections, with Kidman making a striking entrance in a white knot silk organza embroidered jacket and skirt. Rose Byrne, dressed in a black embroidered silk satin dress with feather embellishments, and her husband Bobby Canavale also drew attention. The event’s host, Charles Finch, opened the evening with a speech during the cocktail hour, reflecting on the 17-year tradition of celebrating film. He acknowledged Chanel’s role in the event, thanked attendees, and humorously shared his experience of enduring a kidney stone attack the day before. Finch also mentioned his current film project, Custom of the Country, directed by Josie Rourke and starring Sydney Sweeney, which explores themes of societal ambition. He paid tribute to the industry’s history, recalling collaborations with icons like Al Pacino and Harvey Keitel, and emphasized the joy of gathering for the event.#nicole_kidman #chanel #lily_rose_depp #charles_finch #beverly_hills_hotel
Simon Baker is a self-confessed TV snob, and it took Scarpetta to lure him back to American TV Simon Baker is a self-confessed TV snob, and it took Scarpetta to lure him back to American TV This third era of Simon Baker’s career has been the most interesting, and it took something extra for him to return to American TV. After Simon Baker filmed a role in Taika Waititi’s next film, Klara and the Sun, he got a call that no actor wants to get. His role had been cut. “Taika sent me a text and he called me, and in his way, it was very witty and beautiful,” Baker tells The Nightly. “I remember sitting there going, ‘Wow, I’m so glad this happened to me in my 50s when I can have a laugh about it’.” “As opposed to maybe in my 20s, when it would have just crushed me. I would’ve thought, ‘I’m not that good, I’m terrible’.” Baker is not the same man that after his first act as a dreamy local soap star in E Street, Home and Away and Heartbreak High, chased his dream to Hollywood, where he would breakthrough in L.A. Confidential before film roles in the likes of The Devil Wears Prada and then a long-running stint as the lead of crime procedural The Mentalist. There are distinct chapters to Baker’s career, and it was this third era, the post-Mentalist years that have been the most interesting to watch. Baker has always had a commanding but effortless screen presence but perhaps his dramatic chops had been overlooked because of his, well, for lack of a better-term, his movie-star good looks. It’s easy enough to be distracted by the tussle of the blonde hair and the charming smile that extends to the corners of his blue-green eyes. After The Mentalist wrapped in 2015, he came home to Australia because he wanted to do something different, something more. “That show I did in the States went for seven seasons.#nicole_kidman #liz_sarnoff #simon_baker #taika_waititi #klara_and_the_sun
Simon Baker stars in the new series 'Scarpetta' Simon Baker brings his signature charm to Amazon Prime’s new series Scarpetta, playing FBI criminal profiler Benton Wesley. The character, described as “very polite” but with an underlying sense of danger, mirrors Baker’s own measured demeanor in real life. During a recent interview at a Bondi Beach hotel, Baker, 56, showcased his signature blue attire and a striking IWC Schaffhausen watch, reflecting the same calm confidence he channels for Wesley. Despite the character’s quiet nature, Baker notes that the role’s subtlety was a key draw. “The character was the primary thing that drove me,” he says. “It’s sort of a very quiet character in amongst a lot of quite big forward characters.” Adapted from Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling book series, Scarpetta follows the complex relationship between Wesley and his wife, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, portrayed by Nicole Kidman. Both characters are driven by their work and their bond, though their marriage is portrayed as a delicate balance of love and tension. Baker highlights the dynamic between the couple and the Scarpetta family, particularly the bickering between Kidman’s character and Jamie Lee Curtis’s sisterly rival. “The Scarpetta family, they’re Italian and everything is really expressive,” he says. “That’s a dynamic on its own, seeing Nicole and Jamie Lee go at it as bickering sisters.” The series weaves humor into its darker narrative, a contrast that might surprise fans of the source material. While the show maintains the tension of Cornwell’s novels, it adopts a tone reminiscent of The Bear, with sharp dialogue and banter between Kidman and Curtis. The plot spans two timelines, beginning with Dr.#nicole_kidman #jamie_lee_curtis #scarpetta #simon_baker #amazon_prime
Scarpetta Review: Nicole Kidman Stars in Queasy Adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's Books Nicole Kidman stars as Kay Scarpetta, the titular medical examiner from Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling novels, in a television adaptation that blends forensic drama with domestic turmoil. The series, which premiered in March 2026, follows the character’s journey across two timelines, weaving together her present-day investigations with flashbacks to her early career. Kidman portrays the seasoned forensic pathologist returning to her Virginia roots after years in Boston, where she resumes her role as the state’s Chief Medical Examiner. The narrative alternates between her current case and a 1990s storyline featuring a younger Scarpetta, played by Rosy McEwen, who grapples with a mysterious murder that resurfaces decades later. The show’s structure, designed for binge-watching, splits the plot into eight episodes, each balancing procedural elements with personal drama. While the forensic aspects—such as graphic autopsy scenes and crime-solving—form the core of the series, critics argue that the domestic conflicts of Scarpetta’s family overshadow these elements. Her workplace, where she navigates tensions with her boss, the health commissioner (Lenny Clarke), is depicted as a secondary battleground compared to her fraught home life. There, she resides in a plantation-style estate with her emotionally distant FBI profiler husband, Benton (Simon Baker), whose relationship with his wife is strained by her overbearing sister, Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis). Dorothy’s constant criticism of Kay, along with her own marital issues and interactions with her ex-husband Pete (Bobby Cannavale) and daughter Lucy (Ariana DeBose), adds layers of interpersonal drama that some viewers find overwhelming.#nicole_kidman #rosy_mcewen #patricia_cornwell #lenny_clarke #simon_baker
Nicole Kidman's 'Scarpetta': Everything You Need to Know About the Crime Thriller Nicole Kidman stars in an eight-part crime thriller adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling novels, bringing her character Kay Scarpetta to life as a forensic pathologist navigating a complex web of murder investigations and personal turmoil. The series, titled Scarpetta, marks the first time the iconic character has been adapted for television, offering fans a chance to see the beloved literary figure on screen. Kidman’s portrayal of Scarpetta balances the character’s professional precision with her emotional depth, making her a compelling centerpiece of the drama. The plot unfolds across two intertwined timelines. The first follows a younger Kay Scarpetta in the late 1990s as she establishes herself in forensic science and tackles a case that will shape her career. The second timeline centers on her present-day return to her hometown as Chief Medical Examiner, where she investigates a disturbing murder. As she delves into the case, she confronts the possibility that her landmark past investigation may have flaws, forcing her to reconcile her professional legacy with the truth. Scarpetta’s personal life is equally fraught. Her relationship with her older sister, Dorothy Farinelli, is marked by unresolved tensions and long-buried grudges. The series explores how these family dynamics complicate her work, blending elements of family drama with the high-stakes world of crime-solving. Kidman’s performance captures the character’s resilience and vulnerability, while her co-stars bring depth to the supporting cast. Jamie Lee Curtis portrays Dorothy, embodying the sharp contrasts between her sister’s professional and personal struggles.#nicole_kidman #jamie_lee_curtis #scarpetta #patricia_cornwell #bobby_cannavale
Nicole Kidman and Rosy McEwen Bring Kay Scarpetta to Life in New TV Series It took years to bring Kay Scarpetta from page to the screen. Now, Kidman and McEwen portray the iconic character in a new television series, marking a significant milestone for the literary figure. The adaptation, which began as a long-held dream for producers, finally materialized after decades of delays. Kidman, who plays the older version of Scarpetta, and McEwen, who portrays the younger iteration, share a striking resemblance and emotional connection, making their performances central to the show’s authenticity. The series, developed by Liz Sarnoff as showrunner, blends two timelines to capture Scarpetta’s journey from her early career to her return to her hometown. Sarnoff, who read Patricia Cornwell’s books with her mother, faced the challenge of adapting the vast library of novels into a cohesive narrative. To address this, she split the story into two timelines: one focusing on Scarpetta’s early days as a forensic pathologist in the 1990s, when investigative techniques were slower and more methodical, and another set in the present, reflecting modern advancements like rapid DNA analysis. This dual structure allows the show to span multiple books per season, with Season 2 already in production. Kidman, who joined the project as both lead and executive producer, emphasized the importance of authenticity in portraying Scarpetta. She worked closely with real-life forensic pathologist Dr. Amy Hawes to understand the autopsy process and the motivations behind becoming a medical examiner. “What was important was getting trained for what happens when you hit a crime scene,” Kidman said.#nicole_kidman #rosy_mcewen #kay_scarpetta #patricia_cornwell #liz_sarnoff
Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis adapt ‘Scarpetta’ book series for TV Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis have announced their collaboration on adapting the Scarpetta book series into a television series. The project, which marks a significant venture for both actors, aims to bring the dark and psychological crime novels by Michael Connelly to the small screen. Known for their versatility in both film and television, Kidman and Curtis are set to take on leading roles in the adaptation, which will explore the complex and morally ambiguous world of the protagonist, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist navigating the intersection of science, justice, and personal turmoil. The decision to adapt the Scarpetta series comes amid a growing trend of high-profile literary adaptations, reflecting the enduring popularity of Connelly’s work. The novels, which blend gripping crime narratives with intricate character development, have garnered a dedicated readership and critical acclaim. The television adaptation is expected to leverage the strengths of both actors, with Kidman’s experience in dramatic roles and Curtis’ background in genre films positioning them as ideal choices to embody the series’ central figures. Connelly, who has previously worked with Kidman on the The Da Vinci Code film, has expressed confidence in the project’s potential. He has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the source material while allowing for creative reinterpretation. The series is anticipated to delve into the psychological depth of Scarpetta’s character, exploring her internal conflicts and the ethical dilemmas she faces as she uncovers truths that challenge her understanding of justice.#nicole_kidman #jamie_lee_curtis #scarpetta #michael_connelly #the_da_vinci_code
