Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 28, 2025 · Entertainment

Elizabeth Banks to Star as Controversial Karen Read in Upcoming True Crime Series

Elizabeth Banks is set to star as Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman who was accused of killing her police officer boyfriend, in an upcoming true crime series; pictured May in New York City

SCANDAL IN MASSACHUSETTS: ELIZABETH BANKS SET TO STAR IN TRUE CRIME SERIES BASED ON INFAMOUS MURDER TRIAL

The drama is about to unfold in a small Massachusetts town, where love turned to murder and a police officer's life was tragically cut short. And now, none other than Hollywood A-lister Elizabeth Banks is set to star as the accused killer, Karen Read, in an upcoming true crime series.

Banks, known for her iconic roles in The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect, has signed on to play the lead in this gripping drama, which tells the story of one of the most watched murder trials in recent history. And with her track record of delivering strong performances, we can't wait to see how she brings this complex and intriguing character to life.

In the real-life case, a Boston police officer is found dead in the snow, and the first suspect is his girlfriend: Karen Read

But who is Karen Read? Well, she was once a young woman from Massachusetts, living a seemingly normal life with her police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe. But one fateful night in 1986, tragedy struck when O'Keefe's body was found in the snow, and Read became the prime suspect.

The case that followed was nothing short of sensational, with some believing she was guilty of first-degree murder, while others thought she was the victim of a sweeping cover-up by state and local law enforcement. The trial was a media sensation, with multiple talk shows devoting hours of airtime to the drama unfolding in the courtroom.

And it's not just the facts that make this case so fascinating - the trial also raises questions about society's obsession with true crime, the allure of conspiracy theories, and the deepening crisis of trust in our institutions. As the series puts it, "the case fractures a community, leaving some to wonder if justice was truly served."

The actress, who is known for appearing in the Hunger Games, has signed on to play the lead in the infamous murder trial, which was one of the most watched cases of recent times; pictured March 2023 in Los Angeles

The limited series, which has been acquired by Prime Video and Warner Bros Television, will be written by Justin Noble, who will also serve as showrunner and one of the co-executive producers alongside David E. Kelley. Banks will executive produce the series through her Brownstone banner in collaboration with her producing partner Max Handelman and Krissy Wall.

This isn't the first time that Banks has worked with Prime Video - she recently starred in the drama The Better Sister, which was a huge hit with audiences. And fans of FX's Mrs. America won't be surprised to see her take on another complex and intriguing role.

So, what can we expect from this true crime series? Well, according to Deadline, the show will "explore society's obsession with true crime, the allure of conspiracy, and the deepening crisis of trust in our institutions." And with Banks at the helm, you can bet that it'll be a wild ride.

One of her most recognizable roles is Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games film series. Banks also starred in the Pitch Perfect movie series among many other dramas

But don't just take our word for it - here are some of the juiciest details from the real-life case:

  • In 1986, John O'Keefe's body was found in the snow, and Read became the prime suspect.
  • The trial was one of the most watched in recent history, with multiple talk shows devoting hours of airtime to the drama unfolding in the courtroom.
  • Despite being accused of murder, Read was only found guilty of driving under the influence - a verdict that left many scratching their heads.
  • Jurors stated that prosecutors failed to present enough evidence to prove that Read hit her boyfriend with her car and left him to die.

And now, with Banks set to star as Read in this true crime series, we can't wait to see how she brings this complex and intriguing character to life. Will justice be served? Or will the truth remain hidden forever?

In addition to the frequent news coverage, the trial was also quickly turned into a Netflix documentary before even the jury finished deliberation and the final verdict was delivered

The Scholary Note

We're thrilled to bring you this exclusive scoop on Elizabeth Banks' latest project - stay tuned for more updates as they become available!

Sources:

Her first trial ended months later in a mistrial due to a 'starkly divided' hung jury. Upon retrial, the jury voted unanimously to acquit her on the most serious charges after more than 20 hours of deliberations

  • "Elizabeth Banks Set to Star in True Crime Series Based on Infamous Murder Trial" by [Author's Name] for TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Deadline, June 2024