Amanda Righetti is stepping into a layered and high-energy role in Scarpetta, playing Young Dorothy in a series that mixes crime, family dysfunction, and emotional fallout across two timelines. In her conversation with Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged, Righetti shared how she landed the role, how she approached playing a younger version of a character also portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, and what excites her most about finally seeing the show reach audiences.

From the start, Amanda made it clear that this is a project she has been eager for viewers to experience. After seeing the series at the premiere, she came away impressed by how cinematic it feels and how effectively it balances character drama with suspense.

How Amanda Righetti Landed the Role

Amanda revealed that she auditioned for Scarpetta, but her process was a little different from the modern norm. In a time when self-tapes dominate casting, she specifically asked to go in and audition in person. Because she had read for that casting director before, they were gracious enough to let her come in live, and Amanda believes that choice helped her stand out.

Once she booked the part, she was able to sit down with Jamie Lee Curtis and talk through the role and the broader project. That early conversation gave her a foundation, but much of the work still came from her own research and preparation.

Creating Young Dorothy

One of the biggest challenges of the role was building a character that felt consistent with Jamie Lee Curtis’ older Dorothy while still allowing Amanda room to find her own performance. Amanda said she did not initially receive an extremely detailed description of the character, but what she did get was enough to point her in a bold direction.

Dorothy, in Amanda’s words, was described as “very over the top” and “bigger than life.” That gave her a strong energy to work from, but the performance became more specific once she started studying Curtis’ older films, interviews, and even some dailies from the series that the producers allowed her to watch. Those details helped Amanda pay attention to hand gestures, physical mannerisms, wardrobe, hair, and makeup choices that could connect both versions of Dorothy.

Amanda also described Dorothy’s younger years as just as wild as her later life. She sees her as someone who has long used her sexuality as power and who gravitated toward whatever she could control after the death of her father. That makes Dorothy feel emotionally messy, restless, and unpredictable in a way that can be very compelling on screen.

The Complicated Dorothy and Kay Dynamic

At the center of Dorothy’s story is her relationship with Kay. Amanda described the two sisters as people who understand each other in a uniquely intimate way, the kind that only comes from growing up together. But that closeness also fuels their tension. They know each other’s weaknesses, and they know exactly how to get under each other’s skin.

Amanda suggested that Dorothy’s relationship with Kay is shaped heavily by family history and childhood dynamics. Kay was viewed as more disciplined and more successful in school, which may have led Dorothy to feel resentment. At the same time, Kay carries her own resentment toward Dorothy for the chaos she brings and for the different kind of success she found through her children’s book career.

That friction is what helps give the show its emotional bite. Amanda pointed out that there is something unhinged about Dorothy that drives Kay crazy, and that tension appears to be a major engine in the series.

Why the Dual Timeline Storytelling Works

One of the most exciting parts of Scarpetta for Amanda is the structure itself. The series moves between past and present, allowing viewers to see not only where these characters are now, but how earlier choices shaped the people they became. Amanda called the format unique and said she has not seen many procedurals told in quite this way.

Rather than relying on exposition, the series gives viewers the emotional and narrative context visually. The audience learns what happened by watching those earlier moments unfold, which makes the present-day story feel richer and more suspenseful.

Amanda also noted that the pacing feels strong throughout, with the shifting timelines helping keep the story moving while also filling in the puzzle pieces of each character’s past.

A Character Audiences May Misunderstand

Dorothy may not immediately come across as warm or easy to understand, but Amanda believes that surface read only tells part of the story. She said much of Dorothy’s outward persona is armor, a way of showing up in the world that may cause others to misjudge her.

While Dorothy can seem selfish, cold, or emotionally distant, Amanda emphasized that she still has feelings and connections beneath that facade. That tension between what Dorothy projects and what she actually feels could make her one of the show’s most interesting characters to watch.

Amanda even suggested that Dorothy often feels like an island within her own family, someone who is misunderstood not just by the audience, but by Kay and Lucy as well.

Finding Familiar Notes in a New Role

Amanda also reflected on where Dorothy fits among the many characters she has played over the years. She said the role brings back memories of the early days of her career, particularly because Dorothy shares some of that “wild child” energy she once brought to Haley on The O.C..

Still, Dorothy is not a finished puzzle for Amanda. She described the character as a work in progress, one she is still exploring and discovering. That sense of ongoing discovery may be part of what makes the role feel so alive for her right now.

Looking Ahead for Amanda and Scarpetta

Beyond Scarpetta, Amanda shared that she recently finished a film in Australia called Relentless with Brant Foster, which may arrive over the summer. She also revealed that work on season two of Scarpetta was already beginning, giving fans even more reason to get invested in Dorothy’s story from the start.

With Amanda appearing in multiple episodes of the first season and already looking ahead to what comes next, it is clear that Young Dorothy will be an important part of the show’s world.

Final Thoughts

Amanda Righetti’s passion for Scarpetta comes through in every part of this conversation. From the excitement of landing the role to the detailed work of studying Jamie Lee Curtis and shaping Dorothy’s emotional layers, Amanda offered a strong preview of why this character could leave a lasting impression on viewers.

For fans of crime thrillers, family tension, and performances full of volatility and mystery, Scarpetta looks like a series worth watching closely.