Black Bird
One man's freedom hides in another man's darkness.
Black Bird
One man's freedom hides in another man's darkness.
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the challenge of a lifetime.
Accuracy Verdict
The Apple TV+ series 'Black Bird' is a gripping true-crime drama with a dark and twisted story, but what's even more fascinating are the incredible behind-the-scenes stories and production facts that will leave you speechless!
Behind the Scenes
- The series is based on the true story of Jimmy Keene, a former inmate who infiltrated a maximum-security prison to gather evidence against a suspected serial killer, and the show's creator, Dennis Lehane, actually met with Keene to get the story straight from the horse's mouth.
- Paul Walter Hauser, who plays the role of Larry Hall, had to undergo a significant transformation to get into character, including gaining 40 pounds and learning how to play the accordion, which was a key part of Hall's persona.
- The show's lead actor, Taron Egerton, had to learn how to box and get into top physical condition to play the role of Jimmy Keene, and he even got to keep the tattoos he got for the show as a memento.
- The series was filmed on location in various prisons across the United States, including the infamous Louisiana State Penitentiary, which added to the show's authenticity and grittiness.
- The show's creator, Dennis Lehane, is a huge fan of true-crime stories and has written several books on the subject, including 'Mystic River' and 'Gone, Baby, Gone', which were both adapted into successful films.
- The character of Larry Hall was inspired by several real-life serial killers, including Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, and the show's writers worked closely with criminologists and psychologists to get the character's motivations and behavior just right.
- The show's score was composed by Michael Yezerski, who used a combination of orchestral and choral elements to create a haunting and atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly captures the show's dark and foreboding tone.
- The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of life inside a maximum-security prison, and the show's writers worked closely with former inmates and prison guards to get the details just right.
Did You Know?
- The show's lead actor, Taron Egerton, is actually a classically trained singer and has released his own music, which is a far cry from the dark and gritty world of 'Black Bird'.
- The series is based on a true story, but the show's writers took some creative liberties to make the story more compelling, including changing the names of some of the characters and altering the timeline of events.
- The show's creator, Dennis Lehane, is a huge fan of the works of Stephen King and has cited him as a major influence on his writing style, which is evident in the show's dark and suspenseful tone.
- The series has been praised for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of complex social issues, including racism, police brutality, and the failures of the justice system.
- The show's production team worked closely with the real-life Jimmy Keene to ensure that the show was accurate and respectful, and Keene even made a cameo appearance in one of the episodes.
- The series features a number of Easter eggs and references to other true-crime stories and films, including 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'Se7en', which will delight fans of the genre.
- The show's score features a number of haunting and atmospheric soundscapes, including a haunting rendition of the traditional folk song 'Wayfaring Stranger', which adds to the show's sense of foreboding and unease.
- The series has been praised for its strong performances, including a standout turn from Paul Walter Hauser as the charismatic and unsettling Larry Hall, which has been cited as one of the best TV performances of the year.
Watch Next
MindhunterMore Drama
If you loved the dark and suspenseful tone of 'Black Bird', you'll love 'Mindhunter', which explores the minds of serial killers in the 1970s and features a similar blend of crime drama and social commentary.
The SopranosMore Drama
While 'The Sopranos' is a very different show from 'Black Bird', it shares a similar sense of grittiness and realism, and its exploration of the human condition will appeal to fans of complex characters and moral ambiguity.
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