Today, Apple unveiled a first look and the premiere date for “Black Bird,” a gritty, suspenseful six-episode psychological thriller developed and executive produced by Dennis Lehane. Set to premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, July 8, 2022, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday. The series is adapted from the true-crime memoir “In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption” by James Keene and Hillel Levin, based on Keene’s own experiences.
Inspired by actual events, centers on a high school football hero, decorated policeman’s son, and convicted drug dealer Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison. He is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole. Keene quickly realizes his only way out is to elicit a confession and find out where the bodies of several young girls are buried before Hall’s appeal goes through. But is this suspected killer telling the truth? Or is it just another tale from a serial liar? This dramatic and captivating story subverts the crime genre by enlisting the help of the very people put behind bars to solve its mysteries.
In addition to Egerton and Hauser, “Black Bird” also stars Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, and Ray Liotta. It was developed by and is executive produced by Lehane. The first three episodes are directed by Academy Award-nominee Michaël R. Roskam (“Bullhead,” “The Drop”), who also serves as executive producer. Lehane, Egerton, and Roskam executive produce alongside Richard Plepler through his EDEN Productions; Bradley Thomas, Dan Friedkin, and Ryan Friedkin executive produce through Imperative Entertainment; Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert executive produce through EMJAG Productions; and Kary Antholis also executive produces, along with the book’s author James Keene. Jim McKay and Joe Chappelle also direct. The limited series is produced for Apple TV+ by Apple Studios.
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