11 November, 2024 Siobhan Marie Day 0 Comments 8 categories

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.

Dennis Lehane attends the Los Angeles premiere of Apple TV+ new show "Black Bird" at Regency Bruin Theatre on June 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

This true story is the basis for the hit APPLE TV series, BLACK BIRD, starring Taron Edgerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Greg Kinnear, and Ray Liotta. Jimmy Keene was offered an impossible mission: Coax a confession out of a fellow inmate, a serial killer, and walk free. Jimmy Keene grew up outside of Chicago. Although he was the son of a policeman and rubbed shoulders with the city's elite, he ended up on the wrong side of the law and was sentenced to ten years with no chance of parole. Just a few months into his sentence, Keene was approached by the prosecutor who put him behind bars. He had convicted a man named Larry Hall for abducting and killing a fifteen-year-old. Although Hall was suspected of killing nineteen other young women, there was a chance he could still be released on appeal. If Keene could get him to confess to two murders, there would be no doubt about Hall's guilt. In return, Keene would get an unconditional release from prison. But he could also get killed. A story that gained national notoriety, this is Keene's powerful tale of peril, violence, and redemption.

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.

Hillel Levin’s reporting has appeared in The Nation, New York magazine, Monthly Detroit magazine, Metropolitan Detroit magazine, and Chicago magazine. He was executive editor of Metropolitan Detroit and editor of Chicago magazine. In 1984, he wrote Grand Delusions: The Cosmic Career of John De Lorean (Viking). In 2004, he wrote When Corruption Was King (Carroll & Graf) with Robert Cooley about Cooley’s central role in the FBI investigation of mob influence on Chicago’s courts and political system. “Area Two,” his Playboy article on Chicago police misconduct, co-written with John Conroy, won a 2011 Headline Club Peter Lisagor Award. His docudrama play, Assassination Theater, was produced in Chicago in 2015 and based on his Playboy article, “How the Outfit Killed JFK.” His 2010 book In With the Devil (St. Martin’s Press), which he wrote with James Keene, was about Keene's undercover mission to crack a serial killer in a federal prison and was the basis for the Apple TV+ series Black Bird.

Taron Egerton as James "Jimmy" Keene in the Limited Series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple Inc.

Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall in the Limited Series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple Inc.

Sepideh Moafi as Lauren McCauley in the Limited Series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple Inc.

Greg Kinnear as Brian Miller in the Limited Series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple Inc.

Ray Liotta as James "Big Jim" Keene in the Limited Series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple Inc.

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.

Jimmy Keene at the premiere of "Black Bird" held at the Bruin Westwood on June 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images

Larry DeWayne Hall (born December 11, 1962) is an American kidnapper, rapist, murderer, and suspected serial killer. An aficionado of the American Revolution and Civil War, Hall traveled around the Midwest for historical reenactments and is believed to have abducted, raped, tortured, and murdered dozens of girls and women. Hall came to police attention after the discovery of a 15-year-old's remains in November 1993, and was convicted of her kidnapping. He later confessed to that and an additional murder, though recanted his confessions of both crimes. Since his arrest, Hall has confessed to more than thirty-five murders, recanting them all. However, authorities believe he could be responsible for the deaths and disappearances of between forty and fifty young women, which would place him among the most prolific serial killers in American history.

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.

Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser in a scene from the limited series, "Black Bird" (2022) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

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.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association presents the 80th Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Jarrod Carmichael on NBC and Peacock on January 10th, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The nominees for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture are: The nominees for Best Television Actor - Musical/Comedy Series are: Donald Glover, Atlanta Bill Hader, Barry Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jeremy Allen White, The Bear Photo Credit: Golden Globe Awards Twitter

The nominees for Best Actor - Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture are: Taron Egerton, Black Bird Colin Firth, The Staircase Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven Evan Peters, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy Photo Credit: Golden Globe Awards Twitter

The nominees for Best Supporting Actor - Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Motion Picture are: F. Murray Abraham, The White Lotus Domhnall Gleeson, The Patient Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird Richard Jenkins, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy Photo Credit: Golden Globe Awards Twitter

Paul Walter Hauser poses with the Best Performance in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film award for "Black Bird" in the press room during the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2023 nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: The Nominees are: - Steve Carell for "The Patient" - Taron Egerton for "Black Bird" - Sam Elliott for "1883" - Paul Walter Hauser for "Black Bird" - Evan Peters for "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" Photo Credit: SAG/AFTRA Twitter

The "75th Emmy Awards" 2023 nomination for "Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie:" The Nominees are: - Daniel Radcliffe "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" (Ruko Channel) - "Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" (Netflix) - Evan Peters "Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" (Netflix) - Kumail Nanjiani "Welcome to Chippendales" (Hulu) - Michael Shannon "George & Tammy"(Showtime) - Steven Yuen "Beef" (Netflix) - Taron Egerton "Black Bird" (Apple TV+) Photo Credit: Television Academy Twitter

The "75th Emmy Awards" 2023 nomination for "Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie:" The Nominees are: - Jesse Plemons "Love & Death"(HBO Max/Max) - Joseph Lee "Beef"(Netflix) - Murray Bartlett "Welcome To Chippendales"(Hulu) - Paul Walter Hauser "Black Bird" (Apple TV+) - Ray Liotta "Black Bird" (Apple TV+) - Richard Jenkins "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" (Netflix) - Young Mazino "Beef" (Netflix) Photo Credit: Television Academy Twitter

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards will honor the best in American prime time television programming from June 1, 2022, until May 31, 2023, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ceremony is scheduled for September 18, 2023, and will be broadcast in the United States on Fox. The Creative Arts Emmys is planned to be held on September 9 and 10. Nominations were announced on July 12, 2023. Photo Credit: Television Academy

"The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards" 2023 winner for "Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie" is: ****Winner - Jesse Plemons "Love & Death"(HBO Max/Max) - Joseph Lee "Beef"(Netflix) - Murray Bartlett "Welcome To Chippendales"(Hulu) - ****Paul Walter Hauser "Black Bird" (Apple TV+) - Ray Liotta "Black Bird" (Apple TV+) - Richard Jenkins "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" (Netflix) - Young Mazino "Beef" (Netflix) Photo Credit: Television Academy Twitter

Paul Walter Hauser accepts the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for "Black Bird" onstage at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Los Angeles, CA - January 15: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie Paul Walter Hauser "Black Bird", poses in the press room at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Photo Credit: Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The winner for Best Actor in a Limited Aeries or TV Movie is: ****Winner - Murray Bartlett for "Welcome to Chippendales" - Domhnall Gleeson for "The Patient" - Matthew Goode for "The Offer" - ****Paul Walter Hauser for "Black Bird"**** - Ray Liotta for "Black Bird" - Michelle Pfeiffer for "The First Lady" - Shea Whigham for "Gaslit" Photo Credit: Critics Choice Awards Twitter

28th Annual Critics Choice Awards Promo Header

Paul Walter Hauser accepts the Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries award for "Black Bird" onstage during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit; Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

Paul Walter Hauser, winner of the Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries award for "Black Bird", poses in the press room at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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!