Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker sent shockwaves around the world in March when they were seen holding hands at the New York premiere of their latest TV series, Scarpetta. The pair were glowing as they held fast to each other alongside their fellow stars, like Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana DeBose and Bobby Cannavale.
Nicole was stunning in a black dress with a gauzy skirt and a structured black blazer on top, with her long blonde hair worn down in subtle waves, while Simon looked dapper in a tan suit with a black shirt underneath.
In the hit crime series, Nicole plays the lead role of Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist, and Simon portrays FBI profiler, Benton Wesley. The Oscar-winning actress, who is close friends with Simon's ex-wife, shared with The Daily Telegraph that she "begged" him to work with her.
© Getty Images for Prime Video"We have known each other for a huge portion of our lives, so I've always wanted to do something substantial with Simon," Nicole said. "And so, it was me going, would you please, please, do this with me? And he was at a time in his life when he could, when he could make decisions to be away from home and do things that took his fancy, and so it was kind of kismet."
"And he said yes to me," she added. The pair had previously starred as a married couple in the 2022 anthology Roar, and "had a good time" on set, as Simon revealed.
"It's kind of strange," he said of sharing an on-screen kiss with the mother of four. "I think the first time we did it, we both sort of went, 'Okay, whatever.'"
© Getty Images for Prime Video"I didn't find it weird. But we've kissed on the cheek before. We've hugged a lot. We've lived in the same house," Nicole added. "And you know, the woman I grew up with, he was married to for a substantial part of his life…29 years, so we are just the same person."
Watch the Scarpetta trailer below...
Simon and his ex-wife, Rebecca Rigg, split in 2020 after 29 years of marriage and three kids together. "We remain close friends, and our three children will always be the most important focus of our lives," the duo shared in a statement at the time.
Nicole is godmother to Simon and Rebecca's youngest son, Harry, and the family have been close for decades. "I think because of our history together, that's in-built, so we didn't have to work for that, that just vibrates," she told The Daily Telegraph.
© Kevin WinterMeanwhile, Nicole split from her husband of almost 20 years, Keith Urban, in September 2025 and finalized their divorce in January 2026. The former couple split custody of their daughters, Sunday, 17, and Faith, 15, with Nicole serving as the primary residential parent for 306 days of the year, and Keith for a total of 59 days.
© Getty ImagesThe Babygirl actress has largely kept quiet about the divorce, yet hinted at keeping things civil with Keith in an interview with Variety.
"What I'm grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward. That's that," she said. "Everything else I don't discuss out of respect. I'm staying in a place of, 'We are a family,' and that's what we'll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women."
