Laura Dern to Star in Jeffrey Epstein Limited Series

Dern will portray Miami Herald journalist Julie K. Brown, whose reporting exposed Epstein's crimes.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:05pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass or cracked leather, captured in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting to convey the gritty, investigative nature of the story.The limited series will explore the personal and professional risks taken by the journalist who brought Jeffrey Epstein's crimes to light.Today in Miami

Academy Award winner Laura Dern is set to lead a high-profile limited series centered on the investigative reporting that brought Jeffrey Epstein's crimes to light. Dern will portray Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald journalist whose relentless work dismantled the 'sweetheart' plea deal that had shielded Epstein for a decade. The series is based on Brown's 2021 non-fiction book 'Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story' and will follow her efforts to track down over 80 survivors and convince them to speak on the record, ultimately triggering the 2019 federal case against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Why it matters

This limited series brings much-needed attention to the critical role of local investigative journalism in holding the global elite accountable. By centering the story on Brown's perspective, the series will explore the immense personal and professional risks she took to ensure the survivors' voices were finally heard.

The details

The project brings together a formidable lineup of talent behind the camera, with Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons producing via their Jaywalker Pictures banner, alongside Adam McKay and Kevin Messick for Hyperobject Industries. The series is being developed by Sharon Hoffman (Mrs. America) and Eileen Myers (Masters of Sex), who will serve as writers and co-showrunners. Unlike previous documentaries, 'Perversion of Justice' is designed as a 'David vs. Goliath' journalistic thriller.

  • The limited series is based on Julie K. Brown's 2021 non-fiction book 'Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story'.
  • The series will focus on Brown's reporting that ultimately triggered the 2019 federal case against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The players

Laura Dern

An Academy Award-winning actress who will portray investigative journalist Julie K. Brown in the limited series.

Julie K. Brown

The Miami Herald journalist whose relentless reporting exposed Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and dismantled the 'sweetheart' plea deal that had shielded him for a decade.

Jaywalker Pictures

The production company founded by Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons, which is producing the limited series.

Hyperobject Industries

The production company founded by Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, which is also producing the limited series.

Sharon Hoffman

The writer and co-showrunner of the limited series, known for her work on 'Mrs. America'.

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What’s next

The limited series is currently in development, with no official release date announced yet.

The takeaway

This limited series will shine a much-needed spotlight on the crucial role of local investigative journalism in exposing the crimes of the global elite and holding them accountable, even in the face of immense personal and professional risks.