Taron Egerton’s new true crime-inspired series,Smoke, marks another great addition to Apple TV+’s catalog, but his 2022 crime series on the same streaming service is arguably even better.Taron Egerton has had several great rolesthroughout his career so far, ranging from Eggsy in theKingsmanseries to Elton John in the biopicRocketman.With roles across several genres, Egerton has more than proven that he can handle both intense and comedic roles, though his new series,Smoke,leans far more heavily into the drama and tension.
Egerton leadsSmoke’s castas Dave Gudsen alongside Jurnee Smollett as Detective Michelle Calderon. The pair is tasked with catching arsonists on the West Coast, as the number of fires rises suspiciously. Shockingly,Smokeis based on a real arsonistand a podcast calledFirebug, which highlighted his crimes. The dark, but compelling, series and the crime that inspired it are fascinating, but along withSmoke, Egerton actually has another great three-year-old true-crime series that is similarly entertaining.
Before Smoke, Taron Egerton Starred In Apple TV+’s Black Bird
Black Bird Is Another True Crime Series
Smoke’s real-life-inspired arson plot is incredibly interesting, but Taron Egerton’s 2022 Apple TV+ seriesBlack Birdtakes the genre to another level. Egerton stars as James “Jimmy” Keene, a drug dealer who is caught by the FBI during a sting operation. Due to the extent of his drug-dealing business,Jimmy is sentenced to 10 years in prison without the opportunity for parole. However, he is offered a dangerous deal, which, if accepted, could lead to his entire sentence being commuted and his record cleared.
The only chance for Egerton’s Jimmy to be released with a clean slate is for him to be transferred to a psychiatric prison facility to get close to a suspected killer and learn the locations of some of his victims to keep the serial killer in prison.Keene’s decision to go undercover as an informant is grippingthanks to the potential for him to get caught or hurt at nearly every turn. Interestingly, likeSmoke, Black Birdis also based on a true story, and the real James Keene was involved in the series.
Black Bird Is Taron Egerton’s Highest-Rated Project On Rotten Tomatoes
The Miniseries Surpasses All His Best Known Projects
Compared to some of Taron Egerton’s other projects, specifically films likeRocketman, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and even Netflix’s recent hit,Carry-On,Black Birdwas not that popular. However, it fared incredibly well with critics and is currently Taron Egerton’s highest-rated project on Rotten Tomatoes, including both films and TV shows.The series currently holds a 98% critical approval ratingonRotten Tomatoes, topping his second-highest (Rocketman), which has a 91% score.
For comparison,Smokestands at a 73% critical approval rating. What’s more,Black Birdwas also nominated for and won several different awards, including a Critics' Choice Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Paul Walter Hauser. Egerton was also nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, and the Emmy Awards.
Why Black Bird’s Reviews Were So Great
The Series' Intensity And Performances Were Praised
The performances inBlack Birdwere lauded by critics.Paul Walter Hauser’s performance as Larry Hall is a particular standout in the series, and Taron Egerton is just as good as Jimmy Keene. Both actors were at the top of their games for the six-episode series, bringing tension and depth to the men and highlighting the complexity of life in America’s prison system and the tough choices that Keene had to make to secure his freedom.
Beyond the impressive acting,Black Birdis also incredibly well written. In a streaming market so oversaturated with true crime content,Black Birdstands out above the crowd. Critics also aimed praise at the show’s developer and writer, crime novelist Dennis Lehane. Fans ofSmokemay recognize Lehane’s name as he has also served as the developer and writer for the new series, marking the second time Lehane and Egerton have worked together on a great crime show.
Smoke
Cast
Smoke unfolds as an arson investigator joins forces with a police detective to thwart two arsonists. As they navigate the investigation, they become ensnared in a complex web of secrets and suspicions, driving the narrative forward in this gripping tale of crime and trust.
Black Bird
Inspired by the true story of convicted serial killer Larry Hall, Black Bird is an Apple TV+ drama series that follows a wealthy young named James Keene Jr., who finds himself imprisoned after being convicted on drugs and weapons charges. Fortunately for James, the FBI offers him an early out - if he can get Larry to sign a confession by befriending him in prison, his sentence will be commuted.
