The 8-Year-Old Rihanna Performance That Has Influenced Nicole Kidman’s New Scarpetta

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The new series, based on Patricia Cornwell’s books, promises to be thrilling for fans. Ariana DeBose plays Lucy Farinelli-Watson, the niece of Kay Scarpetta and daughter of Dorothy, portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis. Lucy is a skilled hacker who uses her tech expertise to assist her aunt, but quickly finds herself involved in a murder investigation. DeBose drew inspiration for her performance from Rihanna’s character, Nine Ball, in the 2018 film Ocean’s 8. The movie centers around a jewel heist at the Met Gala, and Rihanna’s Nine Ball is a hacker who uses a unique pool cue mouse. DeBose shared with us and Curtis that she focused on capturing the same energy as Rihanna’s character when developing Lucy.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of playing a hacker character, and seeing Rihanna in Ocean’s 8 really solidified that – she just made it look really cool and fun. That’s what I got to explore with Lucy Farinelli. She’s a strong, independent character who gets involved in solving a murder and assisting with the investigation. But what’s really compelling about her, and many of the characters in the story, is that they’re dealing with personal struggles while simultaneously trying to solve a crime.

Scarpetta Features A Different Kind of Family Dynamic

One of the things viewers enjoy about the Scarpetta series is how the characters interact with each other – both Curtis and DeBose feel this is what sets the show apart. Kay is dedicated to her work, but she’s also navigating complex family issues with her sister, niece, and their ongoing drama. The characters are constantly balancing their personal relationships with the demands of solving each case. Lucy is closely involved in her aunt’s investigations, but her relationship with her mother remains a vital part of her life.

The show really relies on the connections between all the characters, especially when things get intense. DeBose explained that the series carefully balances these relationships, and even characters like Dorothy, who aren’t directly involved in the main mystery, play a vital role in how the story unfolds.

DeBose explained that the show’s appeal comes from how the investigation subtly affects everyone involved, regardless of their role – whether it’s Kay, Marino, Benson, herself, or even Dorothy. It’s not about the crime itself, but how it weaves into their personal lives and family dynamics. She noted that while a typical crime show might focus on gruesome discoveries, this show is more about the complexities of the relationships. She’s excited to make the scenes feel authentic and to explore the interesting, and sometimes chaotic, energy within this family, which is what keeps each episode engaging.

Scarpetta is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2026-03-11 17:39