Netflix's 'Black Doves' Earns Praise as a Fresh Take on the Spy Thriller Genre

The six-part series starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw blends espionage, dark humor, and emotional depth in a Christmas-set London.

Created by Joe Barton, 'Black Doves' follows Helen Webb, a politician's wife and covert spy, as she navigates betrayal, murder, and a dangerous double life.
Keira Knightley leads the cast as Helen, supported by standout performances from Ben Whishaw as her confidant Sam and Sarah Lancashire as her manipulative handler Reed.
The series balances classic spy tropes with fresh character dynamics, including a focus on Helen and Sam's platonic yet deeply meaningful friendship.
Inspired by the real-life British 'spy cops' scandal, the show explores themes of duplicity, loyalty, and the personal costs of espionage.
Critics have lauded the series for its tight pacing, sharp writing, and blend of action, humor, and emotional resonance, with Netflix already renewing it for a second season.