Elizabeth Banks is stepping into the world of true crime with a new Prime Video limited series inspired by the highly publicised Karen Read trial. The actress, who recently headlined Cocaine Bear and The Better Sister, is not only starring in the project but also executive producing through her Brownstone Productions banner.
The series will adapt Karen, the popular podcast by Law & Crime and Wondery, which dissected the case that gripped audiences across America. Justin Noble, best known for his work on The Sex Lives of College Girls and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has been tapped as writer and showrunner, with veteran producer David E. Kelley also joining as executive producer.
According to its early description, the drama will explore themes beyond the courtroom, delving into society’s growing fixation on true crime, the influence of conspiracy theories, and the erosion of public trust in institutions. The story itself stems from the 2022 death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe. His girlfriend, Karen Read, faced charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter before being acquitted in June 2025. She was, however, convicted of drunk driving.
The trial was marked by intense media coverage, viral social media debates, and even a mistrial before the final verdict. The spectacle fed a surge in podcasts, documentaries and news specials, including the documentary A Body in the Snow. Read and her attorney Alan Jackson are separately developing another scripted take on her story with LBI Entertainment, showing that her case continues to spark interest far beyond the courtroom.
For Banks, the project signals a return to streaming drama after lighter and genre-bending roles. She will also soon be seen opposite Matthew Macfadyen in Peacock’s The Miniature Wife. Prime Video is positioning the Karen Read series as a prestige addition to its catalogue, aiming to capitalise on the enduring appetite for stories where real life collides with entertainment.
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