In with the Devil…
Black Bird is a true crime drama miniseries developed by Dennis Lehane, based on the 2010 autobiographical novel In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene with Hillel Levin. The six-episode miniseries premiered on July 8, 2022, on Apple TV+. The series received critical acclaim with particular praise toward Jimmy Keene’s original story and its cast. The critically acclaimed cast includes Taron Egerton as James “Jimmy” Keene, Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall, as well as Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, and Ray Liotta.
![James Keene is an American author, writer, executive film producer, and businessman. He has written three novels about his experience and his life. In 2022, he released his second book, Black Bird: One Man's Freedom Hides in Another Man's Darkness. It was adapted into the Apple TV+ series Black Bird in 2022, on which he acted as executive producer. Keene was a former operative for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who worked to gather incriminating evidence on suspected serial killer Larry Hall. Approximately seven months into Keene’s sentence, the FBI and U.S. Attorney Beaumont approached him with an arrangement that would allow Keene to regain his freedom and have a fresh start with a clean record.[6] The redemptive plan involved him being recruited and working as a post-trial FBI operative that would transfer to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP).[5] Keene was tasked with befriending Larry Hall, a man suspected of raping and murdering dozens of young women between 1980 and 1994.[7] Law enforcement had only found the remains of one of Hall's victims, 15-year-old Jessica Roach. Hall confessed to the murder, but prosecutors lacked strong physical evidence for the case. After Hall retracted his confession and his attorneys filed an appeal, the FBI feared Hall's possible release was imminent. However, if Keene succeeded in obtaining new incriminating evidence about Hall while in MCFP, the U.S. Attorney and FBI agreed to end Keene's sentence and completely expunge his record.[8] Keene’s FBI contacts arranged a secret cover for Keene, who then successfully transferred to the MCFP and earned Hall’s trust. Hall admitted to specific details about many of his crimes and murders in graphic details to Keene that no one but the killer could have known. On one occasion, Keene witnessed Hall with a map that appeared to show the locations of his victims’ remains, and Keene reported the information to his FBI contacts.[9] The U.S. Attorney and FBI rewarded Keene’s efforts in 1996 with early release and a completely clean record. Based on the new evidence Keene uncovered, Larry Hall's appeal was denied. Hall remains in prison and has confessed to over twenty murders during his incarceration.[7] He is serving a life sentence without parole in Butner, North Carolina.[10] Apple series In 2008 Paramount Motion Pictures, alongside GK-Films, purchased Keene's story and life rights to make a feature motion picture film at Paramount. Brad Pitt was attached to play the lead role as James "Jimmy" Keene, and Pitt’s production company Plan B was set to produce alongside Paramount and GK-Films.[11][12] Apple TV eventually purchased Keene's story and life rights from Paramount for the miniseries Black Bird with Taron Egerton as Keene and Paul Walter Hauser as the serial killer Larry Hall.[citation needed] In 2022, Apple TV+ released Black Bird. Keene was executive producer on the project and had a cameo appearance in the final episode.[9] Black Bird was nominated for three Golden Globe awards at the 80th Golden Globes Awards, with Taron Egerton, who portrayed Keene, being nominated for Best Actor in a Limited Series.](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/James-Keene.png?ssl=1)
Keene was a former operative for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who worked to gather incriminating evidence on suspected serial killer Larry Hall. Approximately seven months into Keene’s ten year sentence following and arrest as part of a wider sting called “Operation Snowplow”, the FBI and U.S. Attorney approached him with an arrangement that would allow Keene to regain his freedom.
Given Jimmy’s natural charming and charismatic personality and gift for talking, he was offered an opportunity for a fully commuted sentence with a clean record and no conditions by federal authorities. This is the story of the dangerous deal he was offered and what happened next.
Black Bird was well recieved by critcs and audiences alike, the miniseries earned three nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, which included a nomination and win for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Televison Film for Hauser. Egerton and Hauser recieved another nomination at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Egerton, Hauser, and Liotta all received nominations at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. Hauser won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Black Bird also recieved two nominations at the 28th Critics’ Choice Awards, where Hauser also took home the win for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made to Television.
Black Bird is the Featured Television Blog of the month for November, you can expect a detailed critique of the limited series where we look Larry Hall, one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, as well as the FBI operation involving Jimmy Keene to gather incriminating evidence against Hall. There is also a recommendation of the limited series that includes a detailed synopsis of all six episodes. There is also a detailed review of the 2010 autobiographical novel, In with the Devil, for which the miniseries is based on. For the interview, check out the Apple TV+ inside look at Black Bird and the story of Jimmy Keene. There is also a Top Ten List, and for Black Bird, the list is My Top Ten Serial Killer Series! Last but not least, the Featured Television Blog of the month includes an Official Trailer for the featured series!
You can watch the Official Trailer for Black Bird below:
Black Bird is available now with a subscription to Apple TV+…
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