Black Doves is building up its cast for season 2, so it’s time more people became aware of this underrated Netflix spy thriller.
Netflix has plenty of shows that have gotten huge press and attention. However, some of their better shows are the ones that aren’t heavily promoted and often viewers don't know about them until they drop on the streamer. Often, these end up being gems, some sadly only lasting one year but others are able to earn a renewal.
Such a case is Black Doves, which premiered its six-episode season in December 2024. It has a big-name cast in Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, and Knightley even earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role. That success led Netflix to give it a second season.
Now, Deadline reports season 2 is going to be bigger with several actors added on. The big name is Neve Campbell of the Scream franchise who’s joined by Ambika Mod, Sam Riley, Babou Ceesay, Sylvia Hoeks, Goran Kostic and Samuel Barnett.
Creator Joe Barton had a statement about the return of the show:
“I couldn’t be more excited to delve back into the world of our murderous little spy family. To have so many of our amazing cast returning and also being able to add some of my absolute favorite actors into the mix is such a great joy. Downing Street will never be the same again.”
Anne Mensah, VP of Content, Netflix UK, added:
“To say we are over excited about welcoming the Black Doves team back to Netflix would be an understatement. This is what happens when best in class writing meets best in class directing and extraordinary acting in a dark alley with guns and champagne. We couldn’t be more thrilled and we know the Black Doves fandom is waiting.”
Hopefully, this gets more eyes on a series that deserved more attention as one of the better spy thrillers on Netflix now!
What is Black Doves about?
The series stars Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, married to politician Wallace (Andrew Buchan) and by all accounts a typical wife and mother. However, Helen has a major secret: She’s one of the Black Doves, a mysterious organization of spies-for-hire and her entire marriage has been to gain access to government secrets via Wallace’s work.
When her secret lover Jason is killed, Helen’s boss Reed (Sarah Lancashire) brings in her old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe. That sends the pair on a wild adventure exposing more secrets of their pasts.
That was a fast and furious watch so what does season 2 hold?
What’s coming in season 2 of Black Doves?
Per Deadline’s description, season 2 has Helen still sending info to the Black Doves, which becomes more important as Wallace is set to become England’s Prime Minister.
“As Helen’s enigmatic handler Mrs Reed (Lancashire) is ensnared in a ruthless plot to undermine her position in the Black Doves, Helen is reunited with her best friend Sam (Whishaw). The once high-end triggerman is now reduced to lonely drinks in Soho bars and low-rate hits. As they search for answers, loyalties are weaponized, trust is shattered, and the fight to protect the people they love could cost everything.”
Season 1 ended with a few threads left up in the air such as the revelation that Reed's daughter is Helen’s nanny, showing Reed is spying on her own spies. Buchan, Kathryn Hunter, Ella Lily Hyland, Gabrielle Creevy, Agnes O’Casey and Molly Chesworth also all return.
For the new cast members, Mod plays Laila, “an acerbic and anarchic Black Doves agent who is sent to help Helen on a mission”; Ceesay plays Mr Conteh, “a Black Doves executive with suspicious motivations” and Riley plays Patrick, “an emissary from a mysterious organization, who offers Sam a lifeline.” Campbell plays Cecile Mason, Hoeks is Katia Chernov, Kostic is Alexi Chernov and Barnett is Jerry.
The show was a total blast in its first season with Knightley incredible in the role of Helen. She ably balanced action scenes with Helen’s heart as she loved her cover as a wife yet still dedicated to spying. She and Whishaw had a great chemistry with the latter making you love the rough and tumble Sam. There were also plenty of twists and the Christmas setting added a special touch to it all.
It’s wonderful that Netflix is giving the show another go, and hopefully with more eyes on it, it will be a bigger hit as it deserves. So fans can look forward to another run of Black Doves to marvel at this very underrated spy thriller.
Black Doves is available to stream on Netflix.
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