Apple TV’s Black Bird is an incredible show that’s been on my watch list for some time now and if you’re a fan of gripping true crime dramas, it absolutely deserves a spot on yours too.
This six-part limited series is a masterclass in storytelling, even though it first premiered in 2022. If you’re feeling burnt out by the endless stream of true crime content, Black Bird offers something refreshingly different. It’s not just another documentary with grainy interviews and crime scene photos; it’s a cinematic, character-driven drama based on real events.
The show was developed by acclaimed crime writer Dennis Lehane, adapted from James Keene’s memoir In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption. In this dramatized version, Keene is portrayed by Taron Egerton, whose performance is nothing short of brilliant. You might recognize Egerton from Kingsman or his acclaimed turn as Elton John in Rocketman. In Black Bird, he brings both charm and complexity to the role of Jimmy Keene a man whose confidence is matched only by his desperation.
Jimmy is a successful yet arrogant drug dealer and the son of a long-serving police officer, “Big Jim” Keene, played by the late Ray Liotta in one of his final performances. When Jimmy’s home is raided, he expects his father’s connections and a plea deal to get him out of trouble. Instead, he’s sentenced to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
That’s when FBI agent Lauren McCauley (Sepideh Moafi) offers him a way out if he’s willing to risk everything. The deal is simple but dangerous: Jimmy must transfer to a maximum-security facility for the criminally insane, where he’s tasked with befriending suspected serial killer Larry Hall (played chillingly by Paul Walter Hauser). His mission? Gain Hall’s trust and extract a confession that could lead to the recovery of missing victims. If he succeeds, Jimmy walks free.
It’s a psychological game of cat-and-mouse with the highest of stakes. The line between good and evil blurs as Jimmy’s life becomes increasingly entangled with Hall’s twisted reality. Hauser’s performance is hauntingly restrained, making the character all the more terrifying.
One of the show’s standout moments involves Jimmy reflecting on chaos theory:
“We’ve all heard about the butterfly flapping its wings in Africa and months later there’s a hurricane in Miami. If you haven’t, look it up. It means things you think aren’t connected actually are.”
It’s a subtle nod to the show’s deeper themes of causality, guilt, and redemption.
The ensemble cast delivers on every level, blending individual arcs with seamless group dynamics. The tension is relentless, the writing sharp, and the emotional weight heavy. Whether you’re drawn to true crime or exceptional drama, Black Bird checks every box.
In short, this series is not to be missed. It’s compelling, disturbing, and surprisingly moving a must-watch for anyone seeking television that truly leaves a mark.