Elizabeth Banks is set to both produce and star in an upcoming limited series for Prime Video and Warner Bros that delves into the controversial Karen Read court case.
The series draws on the podcast Karen, which focuses on the events of 2022 when Read was accused of striking her husband, John O’Keefe, a police officer, with her SUV before leaving him to die. The trial concluded in June 2025, with Read being acquitted of the more severe charges after her initial trial ended in a mistrial due to a deeply divided jury.
Throughout the proceedings, Read’s defense claimed she was the target of an elaborate cover-up and was wrongly accused by a group that included law enforcement. Supporters wearing pink gathered outside the courthouse daily. The case has also been featured in a documentary on Netflix.
Social media played a significant role in shaping public perception of the case. Public relations expert Eric Schiffer highlighted the influence of Reddit, noting a community called JusticeforKarenRead that gained nearly 20,000 members. Additionally, Read’s father expressed gratitude to “content providers” for positively representing her in the media.
Banks will executive produce the series through her production company Brownstone, alongside partners Max Handelman and Krissy Wall. Justin Noble will write and also serve as an executive producer.
Known for her roles in Cocaine Bear and Charlie’s Angels, Banks will next appear in DreamQuil, a psychological thriller featuring John C. Reilly, focusing on the societal implications of increasing AI presence in everyday life.
