Black Bird star Taron Egerton said he found the "incredible" true story behind the upcoming series utterly compelling and gripping.
The actor has transformed from starring as Elton John in Rocketman to prisoner Jimmy Keene for the new psychological thriller on Apple+ TV airing on July 8.
The six-episode series follows Egerton's character, who is serving 10 years in a minimum security prison, enter a maximum security prison for the criminally insane with a mission to befriend a suspected serial killer in exchange for freedom.
Talking about what drew him to the role, Egerton told PA: "I felt that it was a script that was completely without sentiment or glorification.
"It was unashamedly an examination of one of the ugliest sides of human nature, particularly of masculinity.
"I thought there was something really unapologetic about the fact that it was looking at how awful men can be and also as the show unfolds, examining why that’s in us.
"On the page it was just electrifying to read from the moment you started reading it, you just want to know what happens, it’s such an exciting premise."
"When you add to that the fact that it really happened, it was not something I could pass on, it was such a great opportunity."
The highly-anticipated series, written by Dennis Lehane, is based on a true story and will feature late Goodfellas star Ray Liotta in his final TV appearance, playing Egerton’s on-screen father.
Source: Press Association
