Black Doves confirmed for a 2024 release: Everything to know so far

Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley is set to star in a new Netflix spy thriller series titled Black Doves. If you’re just as excited as us to see this show, you must continue reading to find out all there is to know about it.

We first learned of this series in April 2023. Netflix announced that Knightley would be starring in a new show for the streaming platform. The streamer had also revealed the show’s title and what it was about at the time. Now, so much more information has come out about the new series including who else is starring in it, filming updates, the total episode count, and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about Black Doves on Netflix!

What is Black Doves about?

Set during Christmastime in London, the show follows a professional spy named Helen Webb who teams up with an old friend with secrets of his own to figure out who killed her husband and why. But she soon finds herself uncovering an “interconnected conspiracy” while on her mission.

Helen was living life as a politician’s wife and spy before her world got turned upside down. For many years, she would pass on her husband’s secrets to the shadowy organization she works for, the Black Doves. But she becomes completely thrown for a loop when her husband is assassinated. Now, she’s set on finding out the truth and who was behind her husband’s murder with the help of her old friend, Sam Young.

Here's the official synopsis via Netflix Media Center:

"It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), 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 organisation she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire) calls in Helen’s old friend to keep her safe.

Sam Young (Ben Whishaw) is a suave, Champagne-drinking assassin. But having been out of the game since a failed job with disastrous consequences, he’s come home to a London that has moved on without him. As his past threatens to catch up with him, his task is to protect Helen as she investigates who killed Jason and why. Together, they set off on a mission that will lead them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy. One that links the murky underworld of London to a looming geopolitical crisis - and leads them to question the cost of the moral choices they’ve made."

Who stars in the spy thriller series?

As mentioned above, Keira Knightley is the lead actress. She plays the role of professional spy, Helen Webb. You might’ve watched her previously in the movies Bend It Like Beckham, Pirates of the Caribbean, Love Actually, Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Duchess, The Imitation Game and Boston Strangler.

Joining her in the cast is Ben Whishaw, portraying the role of Sam Young. He’s an English actor best known for his roles in the movies Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Bright Star, Skyfall, The Lobster, The Danish Girl and Mary Poppins Returns. He has also voiced the titular character, Paddington Bear, in Paddington, Paddington 2 and The Adventures of Paddington.

Here are more cast members:

• Sarah Lancashire as Reed
• Andrew Buchan
• Omari Douglas
• Andrew Koji
• Kathryn Hunter
• Sam Troughton
• Ella Lily Hyland
• Adam Silver
• Ken Nwosu
• Gabrielle Creevy

Black Doves was written and created by Joe Barton who is best known for creating the sci-fi series The Lazarus Project. He also executive produces along with Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry, and Knightley. Additionally, Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning signed on to direct.

When is Black Doves filming?

As of Feb. 2, the cast and crew are still currently filming the spy series. Production reportedly began in October 2023 in London, England. It’s unknown at the moment when the cameras will stop rolling, but we’ll make sure to update you when this happens. There are six episodes in the first season, so it shouldn’t take that long to film.

Here’s what series creator Joe Barton had to say about production starting via Variety.

"“I started writing the scripts for this show over last year’s Christmas holidays, fuelled by turkey sandwiches and discarded bottles of cream liquor. To be now going into production with a cast and crew full of people whose work I admire so much is unbelievably exciting and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to see this show come to life.”"

An official release date hasn’t been announced yet, but it's been confirmed for a 2024 release. You can count on us to share the release date once it’s announced.

Stay tuned to Netflix Life for more news and coverage on Black Doves.