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Season 1 – Black Doves

Play trailer 0:59 Poster for Season 1 – Black Doves Dec 2024 Action Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Helen embarks on a passionate affair with a man who has no idea what her secret identity is; caught in the crosshairs when her lover falls victim to the dangerous London underworld, Helen's employer's call in Sam to protect her.
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Black Doves — Season 1

Black Doves — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Blending multiple genres into a truly unique action-thriller, Black Doves hits its target dead on.

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Critics Reviews

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Inkoo Kang The New Yorker 12/31/2024
Black Doves is like a box of bonbons gifted around the holidays: pleasing, elegant, forgotten as soon as it’s consumed. Like so many spy tales, the show is driven by intricate plotting rather than by meaningful character development. Go to Full Review Margaret Lyons New York Times 12/23/2024
Knightley and Whishaw are terrific here, playing all the layers of their characters’ lies and all the layers of their pains and joys. Go to Full Review Carol Midgley The Times (UK) 12/17/2024
4/5
Joe Barton’s Black Doves (Netflix) is ultimately quite heartwarming despite the blood and gore. Go to Full Review Marta Medina Pérez mundoCine Aug 20
2.5/5
Black Doves struggles to find a consistent balance overall. (...) Some episodes are filled with slow, contemplative moments, while others hit the accelerator more effectively. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Christopher Stevens Daily Mail (UK) Aug 4
1/5
Ben Whishaw is one of our finest actors, an A-lister who combines star charisma with a vulnerable charm, whether in Bond movies or Shakespeare, Dickens or Paddington. But even he can do nothing with the risible dialogue in Black Doves. Go to Full Review Neil Soans The Times of India 01/31/2025
4/5
With compelling performances, striking visuals, and a cheeky sense of humour, it’s an exciting addition to the genre and a must-watch for those looking for something edgier. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tom G @Dudley_Sub_570 3h Many eye-rolling plot holes make this difficult to watch. The quality of the acting kept me watching till the end, but I can't recommend that anyone else invest the time. See more Ben G. @Ben09387 Jan 5 In no way believable and riddled with plot holes. But entertaining. I love Keira Knightley. See more Meaghan M. @mmaier16 Jan 2 Love this show! The story line is a bit predictable but still kept me hooked!! Cant wait for next season! See more Brendan M Dec 23 Started as an interesting premise, with an interesting cast, but quickly bottomed out. There is no escaping that this is a vehicle for driving forward the progressive DEI agenda. All of this would be fine if it served the plot. It does not. At the same time, the script and style steals liberally from superior source material ranging from James Bond to Guy Richie to Martin Scorcese and mashing them all together into an incoherent mess that simply doesn't work. If you are ok with lazy, espionage pulp andary Sue lead characters, this will be for you. If you want something more, this will be a hard pass. See more Rotten P Dec 15 Black Doves Season 1 delivers a stylish and addictive spy thriller with a distinctly pulpy, graphic-novel flair. Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw lead a talented cast, bringing depth, charm, and sharp chemistry to their morally complex characters. Set against a neon-lit London and framed as a surprisingly festive Christmas special, the series balances dark humor, suspenseful twists, and high-stakes espionage with a visually striking aesthetic. While the plot occasionally stretches believability and tonal shifts can feel uneven, Season 1’s sleek direction, engaging performances, and layered intrigue make it a must-watch for fans of character-driven spy dramas and binge-worthy thrillers. See more Brian H @JLdaddy26 Nov 20 I personally loved it! See more Read all reviews
Black Doves — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Barton

Creator

Keira Knightley

Helen Webb

Ben Whishaw

Sam Young

Andrew Koji

Jason

Sarah Lancashire

Reed

Tracey Ullman

Alex

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Dec 5, 2024 When politician's wife and undercover spy Helen Webb learns that her lover has been murdered, the Black Doves recruit an old friend to help protect her. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 5, 2024 After reaching a dead end in the search for Jason's killer, Helen has to fight for her own life; Sam receives a threat from his former employer. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 5, 2024 Memories of Sam's past come back to haunt him as he prepares to finish the job he started seven years ago; Wallace secretly meets with a Chinese envoy. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 5, 2024 Investigations into the ambassador's death reach the highest corridors of power; Helen pays a visit to an old friend; Sam faces a tough choice. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 5, 2024 With danger drawing closer, Sam takes refuge in the only safe place he knows; Reed issues an ultimatum; Helen gets one step closer to the truth. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 5, 2024 In the Bleak Midwinter Armed with evidence and bent on vengeance, Helen goes searching for the Clarks; as the conspiracy starts to unravel, she has a decision to make. Details

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Black Doves — Season 1

Black Doves: Season 1 Trailer 2 Black Doves: Season 1 Trailer 2 0:59 Black Doves: Season 1 Trailer Black Doves: Season 1 Trailer 2:20 View more videos
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Black Doves — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Alex Gabassi, Lisa Gunning
Creator
Joe Barton
Executive Producer
Joe Barton, Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry, Keira Knightley
Screenwriter
Joe Barton
Network
Netflix
Genre
Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Dec 5, 2024
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