Bill O’Reilly to produce ‘Legends & Lies’ docu-series for Fox News

Fox News Channel anchor Bill O’Reilly is executive producing a new 10-part documentary series on the American West.

“Legends & Lies: Into the West” will mix new interviews with archival photos and forensic science to examine the tales of such characters as Jesse James, Davy Crockett, Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid. The series premieres April 12 at 8 p.m. and will air weekly Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 9 p.m.

Historians and direct descendants of the subjects profiled each week will “decipher the true story behind each hero and separate the legend from the lie,” according to a statement from Fox News Channel. Along with O’Reilly -- whose historical books include massive best-sellers on the assassinations of presidents Kennedy and Lincoln -- “Legends & Lies” is being produced by Warm Spring Productions, the makers of History Channel’s “Mountain Men” and HGTV’s “Log Cabin Living.”

“Legends & Lies” is part of a trend of cable news networks adding more filmed original series that can attract viewers when there are no big breaking stories or hot topical issues to debate on discussion programs.

CNN, which typically sees its audience levels fluctuate more based on the news environment than Fox News Channel, has made original series a core part of its programming strategy and is seeing improved ratings as a result.

Twitter: @SteveBattalgio