'Black Doves' Will Arrive in Time for a White Christmas

Initially commissioned in the wake of The Crown's final season, Netflix's newest prestige British series, Black Doves, is going to get red blood all over Netflix's white Christmas come December 2024, if the new images are anything to go by. Starring topline A-listers Keira Knightly (Pride & Prejudice), Ben Whishaw (This Is Going To Hurt), and Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley), the new show is not a historical period drama or teenage romance ensemble, which are the more standard fare for Netflix U.K. productions. Instead, Black Doves is chasing Apple TV+'s Slow Horses style success with a show set in the world of spycraft.

Knightly, who signed onto the series as part of the original package Netflix agreed to, stars as the main protagonist, Helen Webb, whose life as a perfectly middle-class mother of three hides her real identity as one of the British Government's top spies. However, the double life she's leading, which includes a boyfriend who may or may not be a mark, blows up in her face when said boyfriend suddenly turns up dead, threatening her cover story. With no one to turn to but her BFF Sam (Whishaw) and her boss Reed (Lancashire), Helen tries to solve one case while avoiding being the next target.

Netflix is so confident this series will be a hit with viewers that it has already announced it has been renewed for a second season, which one assumes will arrive in 12 to 18 months, depending on the filming schedule.

Here's the series synopsis:

Black Doves is set against the backdrop of London at Christmas. It follows Helen Webb, a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For ten years, she’s been passing on her politician husband’s secrets to the shadowy organization she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed, calls in Helen’s old friend Sam to keep her safe.

Knightley, Whishaw, and Lancashire lead a top-tier ensemble, the latest additions to which include Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), Andrew Koji (Peaky Blinders), Kathryn Hunter (Macbeth), Sam Troughton (The Outlaws), Ella Lily Hyland (Fifteen-Love), Adam Silver (The Diplomat), Ken Nwosu (The Winter King), Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin), Omari Douglas (Rye Lane), Luther Ford (The Crown), Adeel Akhtar (Sherwood), Finn Bennett (Domina), and Tracey Ullman (Howard's End).

Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) created and wrote the six-episode series. Directors Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning split helming duties. Barton and Knightley executive produce with Jane Featherstone and Chris Fry for SISTER; Harry Munday serves as producer.

Black Doves Season 1 will arrive on Netflix with all episodes on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Season 2 is already commissioned.