Massachusetts actress tapped to play Karen Read in upcoming limited series
‘We’re still numb’: Karen Read and family celebrate not guilty verdict
Karen Read
Not guilty verdict Karen Read chats with her defense team at Karen Read's second murder trial on April 22. She was found not guilty on all but one charge on June 18. The only charge the jury found her guilty on was driving under the influence. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald) (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images)
Karen Read Trial Before the jury enters the courtroom Karen Read shares a lighthearted moment with her defense team, during her second murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) (Greg Derr/AP)
Karen Read
Karen Read
Karen Read Trial Karen Read during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) (Matt Stone/AP)
Karen Read
Karen Read
Karen Read Trial Karen Read talks with her attorneys Robert Alessi and David Yannetti during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) (Matt Stone/AP)
Karen Read
Karen Read Trial Karen Read and her defense team watch jurors leave the courtroom during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) (Greg Derr/AP)
Karen Read Trial Karen Read speaks with her defense attorney, Alan Jackson, during her retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell, Pool) (Mark Stockwell/AP)
Karen Read Trial Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) (Matt Stone/AP)
Karen Read
Karen Read
Karen Read Trial Karen Read and attorney Alan Jackson look at the empty jury box while listening to Judge Cannone during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) (Greg Derr/AP)
Karen Read Trial Karen Read looks on during her trial Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) (Matt Stone/AP)
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Karen Read
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Karen Read
Karen Read Trial Defendant Karen Read talks with her attorneys during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Chavous/Enterprise News via AP, Pool) (Mark Chavous/AP)
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Karen Read buffer zone Dedham court
Two jurors chosen on first day of jury selection in retrial of Karen Read
Karen Read
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Karen Read Pre-Trial Hearing Dedham, MA - April 12: Karen Read at her pre-trial hearing at Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Karen Read
Karen Read watches attorney Robert Alessi make a point during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham, Mass., on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) (Greg Derr/AP)
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Karen Read interview with Ted
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Karen Read (FILE - Karen Read and her defense team and the prosecution file motions in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Nov. 13, 2024 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool, file))
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Karen Read in court
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Judge approves joint motion to delay start of Karen Read’s 2nd murder trial Judge approves joint motion to delay start of Karen Read’s 2nd murder trial
Karen Read appears in Norfolk Superior Court on Nov. 26, 2024 (Karen Read appears in Norfolk Superior Court on Nov. 26, 2024)
Karen Read
Mistrial Declared In Karen Read Murder Trial Dedham, MA - July 1: Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone (not pictured) in Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) (Pat Greenhouse/AP)
Karen Read jurors tell judge they’ve been unable to reach unanimous verdict Karen Read jurors tell judge they’ve been unable to reach unanimous verdict
Day 3 of jury deliberations finishes without verdict in Karen Read trial Day 3 of jury deliberations finishes without verdict in Karen Read trial
Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP) (Greg Derr/AP)
Closing arguments in Karen Read trial
Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip
Karen Read murder trial
Streets lined with Karen Read supporters as her fate rests in hands of the jury
Streets lined with Karen Read supporters as her fate rests in hands of the jury
Norfolk Superior Court Dedham Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.
Karen Read
Karen Read Karen Read
Karen Read trial Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) (Kayla Bartkowski/(Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool))
Karen Read trial Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) (Kayla Bartkowski/(Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool))
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Karen Read murder trial Karen Read smiles after listening to her attorney Alan Jackson during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) (Charles Krupa/AP)
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Karen Read murder trial
Karen Read Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool) (David McGlynn/Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool))
Karen Read Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool) (David McGlynn/Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool))
Karen Read trial Day 1
Karen Read opening statements begin
Karen Read
Karen Read
By Frank O'Laughlin
DEDHAM, Mass. — A Hollywood star with Massachusetts ties has reportedly been tapped to play the role of Karen Read in a limited series about the high-profile murder case.
Elizabeth Banks, of Pittsfield, will star as Read in an upcoming series that Prime Video and Warner Bros. Television are developing, according to Deadline.
Banks, known for her roles in the “Pitch Perfect” film series and “The Hunger Games” film series, will also serve as an executive producer on the Read project.
Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding theater troupe named Banks as the group’s 2020 Woman of the Year.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Elizabeth Banks attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum )
Prime Video's "The Better Sister" New York Premiere NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 20: Elizabeth Banks attends Prime Video's "The Better Sister" New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on May 20, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
95th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Elizabeth Banks attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Red Carpet SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Elizabeth Banks attends the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Variety's 2024 Power Of Women: Los Angeles Event Presented By Lifetime - Arrivals LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Elizabeth Banks attends Variety's 2024 Power Of Women: Los Angeles Event Presented By Lifetime at Mother Wolf on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images) (JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Max Mara Celebrates Joey King As The 2024 WIF Max Mara Face Of The Future Award Recipient Cocktail Event LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Elizabeth Banks, dressed by Max Mara, attends Max Mara Celebrates Joey King As the 2024 WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award Recipient Cocktail Event at Chateau Marmont on October 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Max Mara) (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Max Mara)
Center For Reproductive Rights Hosts 7th Annual Los Angeles Benefit BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Elizabeth Banks attends the 7th Annual Los Angeles Benefit Hosted by the Center For Reproductive Rights at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on May 14, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for the Center for Reproductive Rights) (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for the Center for )
Amazon 2025 Upfront NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: Elizabeth Banks attends the Amazon 2025 Upfront at Beacon Theatre on May 12, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Elizabeth Banks attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
95th Annual Academy Awards - Backstage In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Elizabeth Banks is seen backstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
"Skincare" New York Screening NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 13: Elizabeth Banks attends the "Skincare" New York screening at Crosby Hotel on August 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Over the course of two trials, prosecutors alleged that Read hit John O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her SUV and left him to die in a blizzard outside the home of fellow Boston officer Brian Albert, at 34 Fairview Road in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022, following a night of drinking.
Read was recently found not guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of O’Keefe during a retrial after her lawyers successfully painted a sinister picture of police misconduct and theorized that O’Keefe was, in fact, killed by colleagues, followed by a vast cover-up.
The June 2025 murder acquittal followed a mistrial in July 2024.
Read, Jackson, and other lawyers are gearing up to fight a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the O’Keefe family.
There was no immediate word on a release date for the television series.