One of the most closely scrutinized court dramas of recent times is undergoing a mesmerizing transformation. Prime Video is in the throes of developing a limited series, intricately woven around the enthralling Karen Read trial. At the helm of this project stands Elizabeth Banks, who will not only embody the lead character but also serve as an executive producer through her Brownstone Productions. This captivating venture stems from Warner Bros. Television, in collaboration with the talented writer-showrunner Justin Noble, whose credits include "The Sex Lives of College Girls" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." David E. Kelley has also signed on as an executive producer, adding his storied expertise to the mix.
The prospective series delves into the societal fascination with true crime, the magnetic pull of conspiracies, and the profound erosion of trust in our institutions, as suggested by its compelling logline. Rooted in the podcast "Karen," produced by Law & Crime and Wondery, Brownstone Productions spearheaded the development, painstakingly working alongside Warner Bros. and Wondery to secure the podcast's rights. Noble was later brought on board to adapt this rich material into a cinematic narrative.
Read, along with her defense attorney Alan Jackson, inked a separate agreement with LBI Entertainment, producers of "Killers of the Flower Moon," to craft a scripted interpretation of her case. In June, a jury acquitted Read of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges stemming from the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe (though she was convicted of drunk driving). This trial marked Read's second go-around, following a mistrial in an earlier proceeding. The case garnered immense media scrutiny, with news shows, podcasts, and documentaries such as "A Body in the Snow" meticulously dissecting every detail.
Noble, who holds an overall deal with Warner Bros. TV, will executive produce alongside Kelley and Matt Tinker of David E. Kelley Productions. Joining them are Banks, Max Handelman, and Krissy Wall from Brownstone Productions; Jen Sargent, Marshall Lewy, Aaron Hart, and Jeni Mulein from Wondery; as well as Rachel Stockman and Dan Abrams of Law & Crime.
Fresh off her stint in Prime Video's "The Better Sister," Banks is poised to enchant audiences once more, with "The Miniature Wife" awaiting release on Peacock. Represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, and Johnson Shapiro, Banks and Brownstone Productions continue to elevate the entertainment landscape. Noble is represented by WME and Hansen Jacobson, while Kelley is managed by CAA. This powerful ensemble promises to bring the Karen Read trial to life in a manner that is both spellbinding and thought-provoking.
