Black Doves review: Keira Knightley steps into the TV scene as Helen Webb, the devoted wife of the UK’s Defence Minister. But there’s a twist—she might actually be Daisy Bradshaw, a seasoned agent for a mysterious group called the Black Doves. After her lover is killed, Helen embarks on a fierce quest for revenge. She’s joined by her old mentor Sam Young, played by the unexpected Ben Whishaw, who comes out of retirement for his one true friend. Together, they dig into a conspiracy that threatens to ignite a war between China and the United States, with the UK caught in the middle.

What's the story about?

The plot of Black Doves might give off major spy thriller vibes, and it definitely has those elements, but Joe Barton, the creator, is way more focused on the deeply flawed characters at the heart of the story. He’s not afraid to break away from typical genre norms and add some real empathy to what could easily be one-dimensional roles. Both Helen and Sam are dealing with their past heartbreaks, and while it’s awesome to see Knightley take on such a substantial role, it’s actually Whishaw who really brings the emotional depth to the series.

Whishaw’s portrayal of Sam is like an open wound—he’s incredibly skilled but utterly shattered by the toll his job has taken on his one true love. Instead of going for the typical action-hero route of displaying rage and frustration, Whishaw opts to highlight the pain. There’s a standout moment in the second episode where a mobster menaces his ex, and as the camera zooms in on Whishaw’s expressive eyes, it’s clear why he’s considered one of the best actors out there. Both Whishaw and the writing take what could have been just another average action flick and turn it into something much more meaningful.

A twisted sense of humor

Honestly, Whishaw and Knightley don’t exactly scream action hero material. The most Whishaw has done in that realm is play the geeky Q alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond. Still, they both hold their own pretty well, thanks to some tight and well-choreographed action scenes that add a darkly funny twist to the show’s intensity.

The series wraps up in a quick 6 episodes, which is a relief compared to the usual Netflix overstuffing. Barton’s clever use of a dual timeline, much like Citadel: Honey Bunny, lets us see how Helen and Sam’s relationship develops alongside the present-day events, keeping things interesting. Plus, the story gets a nice boost from the ups and downs of Williams, one half of an enforcer duo, played by the standout Ella Lily Hyland, who totally deserves her own spin-off. On the flip side, it’s a shame to see the talented Sarah Lancashire underutilized as Mrs. Reed, the handler for the Black Doves.

Last week saw the launch of Black Doves, the second spy series set in London. The first was Michael Fassbender’s The Agency, which is the English version of the French show The Bureau. Both shows are stepping into the legacy of Slow Horses, and you can easily picture Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb slurping up a bowl of noodle soup at Sam’s go-to Chinese spot.

If you're into action shows that really focus on character development, you can't miss this one. Black Doves has already been picked up for a second season, and it'll be cool to see how they tackle some of the tricky issues left hanging in the finale, particularly a twist that feels a bit like the ending of The Diplomat's second season.

You can catch Black Doves streaming on Netflix right now.

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