Karen Read Condemns Unauthorized Prime Video Series About Her Murder Trial

Karen Read has publicly condemned a planned Prime Video series about her high-profile murder trial. The project was announced just two days before her first interview since being acquitted. Read stated she has no involvement with the production.

According to reports, actress Elizabeth Banks is set to star as Read and executive produce the limited series. The show aims to explore society’s obsession with true crime and institutional distrust.

Read and Legal Team Distance Themselves from Adaptation

During an interview with WRKO host Howie Carr, Read explicitly denied authorizing the series. Her attorney, Alan Jackson, reinforced that this is “Karen Read’s story to tell.” The legal team intends to use proper channels to share their account of events.

Justin Noble is attached as writer and showrunner for the project. Executive producer David E. Kelley is also involved. The series logline suggests it will analyze conspiracy theories and the true crime phenomenon.

Background on the Notorious Massachusetts Case

Read was accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in 2022. An autopsy concluded he died from blunt-force trauma and hypothermia. Prosecutors alleged she struck him with her SUV while intoxicated.

Her defense team argued she was framed. They suggested O’Keefe was injured inside a house. The first trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial.

A Massachusetts jury acquitted Read of second-degree murder and manslaughter in June 2025. She was, however, convicted on a drunk driving charge. The case captivated national audiences for years.

Read described her post-trial life as a gradual adjustment. She compared the process to a dimmer switch slowly brightening rather than flipping on. She sold her Massachusetts home and moved in with her parents.

The ordeal cost Read her job at Fidelity Investments and her adjunct professor position at Bentley University. She expressed particular sadness over losing her teaching career. Read remains uncertain about returning to her previous daily routine.

The unauthorized Karen Read Prime Video series faces strong opposition from the acquitted woman herself. Her legal team suggests they may pursue their own storytelling avenues in response.

Info at your fingertips

What was Karen Read accused of?

She was accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in 2022. Prosecutors claimed she struck him with her vehicle while intoxicated. A jury later acquitted her of murder and manslaughter charges.

Who is playing Karen Read in the series?

Actress Elizabeth Banks is set to portray Karen Read. Banks will also executive produce the limited series through her Brownstone Productions company. The project is in development for Prime Video.

How did Karen Read react to the series announcement?

She strongly denounced the project in her first post-trial interview. Read stated she has “nothing to do with that” production. Her attorney emphasized that her story belongs to her alone.

What was the outcome of Karen Read’s trial?

A Massachusetts jury found her not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in June 2025. The verdict came after a mistrial was declared in her first trial in 2024. She was convicted on a separate drunk driving charge.

What does Karen Read plan to do now?

She has expressed interest in telling her story through a book. Her legal team suggests they will use official channels to share their account. Read has sold her home and is living with her parents while rebuilding her life.