Taron Egerton’s 6-Part Prison Thriller Proves Apple TV Has Mastered Prestige Crime Drama

One of the greatest shows Apple TV ever made proves that it has mastered prestige crime drama and should be making more exceptional series just like it.

Released in 2022, this 6-part prison drama is based on the true story of a convicted drug dealer who goes undercover in a maximum security prison to elicit a confession from a suspected killer. It remains one of the most critically acclaimed Apple TV miniseries ever made.

Black Bird Is A Near-Perfect Masterpiece Starring Taron Edgerton

Black Bird is one of the best true crime adaptations of the 2020s and is certainly one of the very best limited series that Apple TV has to offer. Led by incredible performances by Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird is truly a must-watch for all crime thriller fans.

Black Bird is based on the 2010 memoir In With The Devil by Jimmy Keene, who Egerton portrays in the limited series. Jimmy went from being a high school football star to a convicted drug dealer, facing a 10-year prison sentence. Jimmy cuts a deal with the FBI to get suspected mass murderer Larry Hall to reveal where as many as 18 of his victims’ bodies were hidden.

What unfolds over the six episodes of Black Bird is a phenomenally suspenseful game that is crafted to keep viewers hooked and on the edge of their seats. With its near-perfect 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and its 2 Emmy wins – one for Paul Walter Hauser’s role – Black Bird is one of the premier examples of Apple TV’s original catalog.

Apple TV Should Make More Crime Series Like Black Bird

Apple TV's Black Bird — Apple TV’s Black Bird

Apple TV has developed several new flagship series for itself since Black Bird was released, including massive Emmy hits like Severance, Slow Horses, and The Studio. Apple TV has also made a name for itself, particularly as the home of streaming’s best sci-fi content, but that only represents one aspect of the prestige streamer’s vast and growing library.

Black Bird is living proof that, while Apple TV’s comedic and sci-fi content is top-tier, it should not lose its focus on prestige crime dramas. Recent crime series like Dope Thief and Your Friends and Neighbors have found moderate success and mildly positive acclaim. Compared to Black Bird, however, they are entirely forgettable.

Presumed Innocent is another strong example of Apple TV’s potential to expand its list of crime dramas, although still none have surpassed the greatness of Black Bird. While there is no possible way to extend Black Bird into a multi-season franchise, Apple TV would be wise to adapt more gripping true crime stories like this one into a binge-worthy 6-part series with talented star actors.