Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Series

Black Bird

Black Bird is a 2022 American true crime drama miniseries developed by Dennis Lehane.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Black Bird is a 2022 American true crime drama miniseries developed by Dennis Lehane. It follows a convicted drug dealer who must befriend a suspected serial killer to reduce his sentence.

What it is

The six‑episode series centers on Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), a drug dealer offered a chance to shorten his prison time if he can get a confession from Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), a man suspected of multiple murders. The show blends prison drama with investigative true crime elements.

Source material

Black Bird is adapted from the memoir 'In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption' by James Keene and Hillel Levin. The story is presented as based on Keene’s own account of the events, adding a layer of authenticity to the psychological thriller.

Cast and release

Alongside Egerton and Hauser, the cast includes Greg Kinnear, Sepideh Moafi, and Ray Liotta. The miniseries premiered on Apple TV+ on July 8, 2022, and quickly gained attention for its tense storytelling and strong performances. It remains available on the platform in Canada as well.

In short

  • True crime miniseries, six episodes long
  • Based on James Keene’s memoir
  • Stars Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser
  • Premiered on Apple TV+ in July 2022
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may know Black Bird through Apple TV+, which streams in Canada as well as the United States.[14]

Quick questions

What is Black Bird about?
It follows Jimmy Keene, a convicted drug dealer who is offered reduced time if he can befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall and obtain a confession.
Is Black Bird based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the memoir by James Keene and Hillel Levin and is described as inspired by actual events.
How many episodes does Black Bird have?
Black Bird has 6 episodes.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bird_(miniseries)
    Supports: Series identity, premise, six-episode format, premiere date, and source material.
  2. What to Watch — https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/black-bird-release-date-cast-plot-and-everything-we-know
    Supports: Cast, episode count, Apple TV+ release, and limited-series framing.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/black-bird-tv-review-2022
    Supports: Limited-series description, six-hour structure, and basis in a true story.
  4. Apple TV+ — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/black-bird/umc.cmc.30gx1y8nwthydkrvhqu156p3
    Supports: Official platform availability, premise, runtime, cast, and original release context.