Prime Video is moving forward with a new true-crime drama centred on one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent American history, with Elizabeth Banks set to portray Karen Read in an eight-episode series.
The untitled project will explore the high-profile case that captured national attention following the January 2022 death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, Read’s boyfriend. The series has received a formal order from the streaming platform and will be produced by Warner Bros. Television, with Banks also serving as an executive producer.
Justin Noble, known for his work on The Sex Lives of College Girls and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, will write and serve as showrunner, while acclaimed television writer and producer David E. Kelley will also executive produce. The creative team includes Banks’ Brownstone Productions, David E. Kelley Productions, Audible and Law&Crime.
Inspired by the Law&Crime and Audible Original podcast Karen, the series will examine the events surrounding O’Keefe’s death and the investigation that followed. The story begins when a Boston police officer is discovered dead in the snow during a blizzard, with suspicion quickly falling on his girlfriend.
As Read and her legal team maintain her innocence and allege a conspiracy to protect the real perpetrators, the case escalates into a divisive public controversy. The series will explore the competing narratives surrounding the investigation, the breakdown of trust within a community and the wider cultural fascination with true-crime stories.
Read was acquitted of murder and other serious charges in June 2025 following a retrial, although she was found guilty of operating under the influence. Her case generated intense media scrutiny, public demonstrations and widespread debate over the evidence and the conduct of the investigation.
Banks, who grew up in Massachusetts, said the case had a profound impact on the communities where it unfolded.
“I grew up in Massachusetts, and like so many people there, we watched this case divide families, friends and entire towns,” Banks said in a statement.
She added that the questions raised by the case extend beyond the courtroom, challenging audiences to consider why they believe certain accounts of events and what happens when confidence in institutions begins to erode.
The actress will bring her experience across film and television to the project, having starred in titles including Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games and Cocaine Bear. She also recently appeared in Prime Video’s thriller series The Better Sister, alongside Jessica Biel.
According to Audible’s head of content for North America, Marshall Lewy, the Karen Read case resonated with audiences because of its complex questions surrounding truth, loyalty and public perception. He also highlighted the original podcast’s role in documenting the case and expressed enthusiasm about bringing the story to television.
With eight episodes planned, the new drama aims to go beyond a conventional courtroom narrative, examining how a single criminal case can divide a community and become a national obsession.
A release date and further casting details have not yet been announced.
The project adds to Prime Video’s growing slate of crime-focused dramas, while bringing a highly scrutinised real-life case to scripted television.
