Elizabeth Banks is set to star as Karen Read in a new limited series from Prime Video and Warner Bros Television, based on the polarising court case that captivated the US. The project, currently in development, will be showrun by Justin Noble, with David E. Kelley also executive producing.
The series, based on the podcast 'Karen' from Law & Crime and Wondery, follows the trial of Karen Read, a woman accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe. The case divided the community, with some believing Read guilty of first-degree murder and others alleging a cover-up by law enforcement.
Banks will executive produce through her Brownstone banner, alongside producing partner Max Handelman and Krissy Wall. Other executive producers include Matt Tinker, Jen Sargent, Marshall Lewy, Aaron Hart, Jeni Mulein, Rachel Stockman, and Dan Abrams.
The trial became a media sensation, spawning multiple news specials and a Netflix documentary. The series aims to explore society's obsession with true crime and the erosion of trust in institutions.
This marks a reunion for Banks and Prime Video, following her acclaimed role in 'The Better Sister'. Noble previously worked on 'The Sex Lives of College Girls', while Kelley recently produced 'Presumed Innocent' for Apple TV+.
