Black Doves premieres December 5 on Netflix.
Netflix’s Black Doves doesn’t reinvent the spy story, but it does give it a stylish update with a strong cast and plenty of intrigue. This six-episode series from Joe Barton is part espionage thriller, part emotional drama, and just self-aware enough to stand out from the crowd. While it doesn’t quite soar to greatness, it’s a captivating watch that hits more than it misses.
The plot centers on Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a woman living two lives. On the surface, she’s the poised wife of the UK’s Secretary of Defense (Andrew Buchan). Beneath that, she’s a trained mercenary operating in a world of secrets and betrayal. When her lover (Andrew Koji) is murdered, Helen finds herself caught in a high-stakes web of danger, enlisting the help of Sam (Ben Whishaw), a reluctant former ally with baggage of his own.
Knightley is fantastic, capturing Helen’s internal conflict with a mix of determination and vulnerability. Whishaw, as Sam, is equally compelling, playing the role of a weary operative with both heart and snark. Their interactions are full of tension and dry humor, bringing a spark to the show that makes it more than just another shadowy tale of spies and lies.
What Black Doves does best is balancing its slick, action-packed sequences with quieter, character-driven moments. Helen’s double life provides plenty of material to mine, though the pacing occasionally falters when the series leans too heavily into exposition. The middle episodes, in particular, feel bogged down by backstory that doesn’t always add much to the forward momentum.
Visually, the show is a treat. Its depiction of London is moody and atmospheric, with sharp contrasts between Helen’s polished public world and the darker spaces she navigates in secret. The action is well-choreographed without being over-the-top, keeping the stakes grounded but exciting.
Where Black Doves stumbles is in trying to juggle too much. The emotional arcs are compelling, but they sometimes overshadow the main plot, making the central conspiracy feel less urgent. That said, when the show focuses on its leads and their messy, complicated relationship, it shines.
Overall, Black Doves is a sleek and entertaining series that delivers a satisfying mix of suspense, drama, and dark humor. It may not rewrite the rules, but with Knightley and Whishaw at the helm, it doesn’t need to. If you’re into sharp, character-focused spy stories, this one is worth your time.
I give Black Doves’ First season a B+.
TV and City 