Laura Dern to Star in Limited Series on Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

Sony Pictures Television is developing a show based on the Miami Herald reporter who exposed Epstein's plea deal.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:35pm

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Hollywood is developing a new limited series based on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, with Laura Dern set to star as Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown. Brown's years-long investigation uncovered dozens of Epstein's victims, persuaded survivors to speak publicly, and ultimately led to the arrests of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Her reporting also contributed to the downfall of former Florida Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, who authorized Epstein's controversial plea deal as a US attorney.

Why it matters

The Jeffrey Epstein case was a major news story that exposed systemic failures in the justice system and sparked a reckoning around sexual abuse and the exploitation of young women by the wealthy and powerful. This limited series dramatization will bring renewed attention to Brown's crucial investigative journalism that helped bring Epstein to justice.

The details

Sony Pictures Television is developing the limited series based on Brown's book Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story. Laura Dern will star as Brown, portraying her years-long investigation that uncovered dozens of Epstein's victims and persuaded survivors to speak publicly about the abuse they suffered. Brown's reporting ultimately led to the arrests of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the downfall of former US attorney Alexander Acosta, who had authorized Epstein's controversial plea deal.

  • In 2018, Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown began her investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case.
  • Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges.
  • Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 and charged with sex trafficking and other crimes related to Epstein.

The players

Julie K. Brown

A Miami Herald reporter whose years-long investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case uncovered dozens of victims and led to the arrests of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Laura Dern

An acclaimed actress who will star as Julie K. Brown in the upcoming limited series about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Jeffrey Epstein

A wealthy financier who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in jail in 2019.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's associate who was arrested in 2020 and charged with sex trafficking and other crimes related to Epstein.

Alexander Acosta

The former US attorney in Florida who authorized Epstein's controversial plea deal, leading to his downfall.

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What they’re saying

“Julie K. Brown's fearless reporting was instrumental in bringing Jeffrey Epstein to justice. This limited series will shine a light on the crucial role investigative journalism played in exposing systemic failures and giving a voice to Epstein's many victims.”

— Suzanne Patmore Gibbs, Head of Sony Pictures Television

What’s next

The limited series is currently in development at Sony Pictures Television, with no set release date announced yet. Casting beyond Laura Dern has not been revealed.

The takeaway

This dramatized limited series will bring renewed attention to the crucial investigative journalism of Julie K. Brown and the systemic failures that allowed Jeffrey Epstein's abuse to go unchecked for so long. By spotlighting Brown's tenacious reporting, the show will highlight the power of the free press to hold the powerful accountable and give a voice to survivors of sexual abuse.