'Black Doves' Trailer Brings the Red Blood to a White Christmas

Since Netflix first announced the Keira Knightley series Black Doves, in which she would play an assassin/spy, it was apparent the streaming service saw the series as the spiritual heir to The Crown. It's quite a tellingly placed follow-up, taking one of the most ambitious concepts from the streaming era, a high-concept, high-minded, grand-tradition-of-the-BBC serial, and assuming the same viewers will tune in for... a blockbuster action-style series that's extremely violent. However, one look at the lushly produced new series and the witty bon mots being thrown at each other by stars Knightley and Ben Whishaw and, well, maybe they've got something here. 

Another way the show feels very "Crown School of Netflix Shows" is the trailer's signature song. Just about every season has a trailer with an arresting soundtrack. Black Doves will apparently continue that trend, using a cover version of Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," recorded by British singer Raye. Please note that Netflix's press release assures us it will be "featured throughout the series."

Knowing Black Doves has already been greenlit for Season 2, which immediately went into production, it's hard not to wonder who in this trailer will survive to make it to another season. If the trailer is anything to go by, as long as Knightley and Whishaw stay teamed up, I'm good with anything. 

Here's the series' synopsis, which sadly does not use the phrase "a series of escalating gunfights."

Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, Black Doves is a sharp, action-filled, and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb, a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For 10 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. Together, Helen and Sam set off on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why. This led them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy linking the murky London underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.

As previously announced, Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice) is Helen Webb, Ben Whishaw (This is Going to Hurt) is her BFF Sam, and Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) is Reed. The trailer also reveals that Andrew Koji (Warrior) plays Helen's boyfriend, Jason.

The trailer and casting announcement also have another surprise: Paapa Essiedu is in the series. Essiedu was the lead in Joe Barton's canceled-too-soon, lost-on-Max The Lazurus Project, and it seems like Barton found a way to bring one of his favorites to the Netflix party. We should note that the announcement did not reveal his role*. 

(*It did reveal that they're making up for his last-minute addition by giving him a "with..." credit.) 

The rest of the previously announced cast includes Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), Adeel Akhtar (Showtrial), Finn Bennett (Domina), Tracey Ullman (Howard's End) and Luther Ford (The Crown). Supporting cast includes Kathryn Hunter (Macbeth), Sam Troughton (The Outlaws), Ella Lily Hyland (Fifteen-Love), Adam Silver (The Diplomat), Ken Nwosu (Down Cemetary Road), Gabrielle Creevy (Operation Mincemeat) and Omari Douglas (It’s A Sin).

Barton created and wrote all six episodes of Black Doves' first season and is expected to return for Season 2. Directors Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning split helming duties, and are also likely to do the same for Season 2. 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.