Scripted series · Netflix
Black Doves
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
Keira Knightley
Helen Webb
6 eps
Ben Whishaw
Sam Young
6 eps
Sarah Lancashire
Mrs. Reed
6 eps
Andrew Buchan
Wallace
6 eps
Andrew Koji
Jason
6 eps
Omari Douglas
Michael
6 eps
Sam Troughton
Stephen Yarrick
6 eps
Ella Lily Hyland
Williams
6 eps
Isabella Wei
Kai-Ming
6 eps
Adam Silver
Arnie
3 eps
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
Zack
3 eps
Hannah Khalique-Brown
Maggie
2 eps
Thomas Coombes
Phillip
2 eps
Lizzie Hopley
Beth
1 eps
Agnes O'Casey
Dani
4 eps
Molly Chesworth
Marie
4 eps
Ken Nwosu
Bill
4 eps
Rat Scabies
Bingo
1 eps
Antonia Campbell-Hughes
Georgina
1 eps
Justine Mitchell
Emma
2 eps
Eniko Fulop
Kent
2 eps
Charlotte Rice-Foley
Jacqueline
6 eps
Taylor Sullivan
Oliver
6 eps
Philipp Christopher
Daniel
1 eps
Robert Ashe
Santa Claus
1 eps
Sally Scott
Political Correspondent
3 eps
Andy Cheung
Ambassador Chen
3 eps
Kathryn Hunter
Lenny
4 eps
Gabrielle Creevy
Eleanor
5 eps
Paapa Essiedu
Elmore Fitch
2 eps
Julian Wadham
Andy
1 eps
Luther Ford
Hector Newman
4 eps
Ebony Francis-Peddie
Ruby
4 eps
Will Joseph
Young Sam
1 eps
Finn Bennett
Cole Atwood
4 eps
Tai Yin Chan
Wu Lin
4 eps
Dan Li
Chang Hao
4 eps
Claudia Jolly
Ingrid
1 eps
Steve Wall
Frank
2 eps
Xiaonan Wang
Waitress
1 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Black Doves actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Black Doves reads strongest on Bingeability, Tension and Cliffhanger Intensity.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
When a spy posing as a politician's wife learns her lover has been murdered, an old assassin friend joins her on a quest for truth — and vengeance.
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E06 · Signature episode
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 deadly decision to make.
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E01 · Signature episode
To Love Then
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.
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E03 · Signature episode
The Coming Night
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.
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E05 · Signature episode
The Cost of It All
With danger drawing closer, Sam takes refuge in the only safe place he knows. Reed issues an ultimatum, and Helen gets one step closer to the truth.
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E04 · Signature episode
Go Bang Time
Investigations into the ambassador's death reach the highest corridors of power. Helen pays a risky visit to an old friend, and Sam faces a tough choice.
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E02
A Little Black Dove
After reaching a dead end in the search for Jason's killer, Helen has to fight for her own life, while Sam receives a threat from his former employer.
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S01E01 · Signature episode
To Love Then
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E02
A Little Black Dove
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E03 · Signature episode
The Coming Night
- Directed by Alex Gabassi
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E04 · Signature episode
Go Bang Time
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E05 · Signature episode
The Cost of It All
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
S01E06 · Signature episode
In the Bleak Midwinter
- Directed by Lisa Gunning
- Written by Joe Barton
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Joe BartonExecutive Producer
- Harry MundayProducer
- Keira KnightleyExecutive Producer
- Chris FryExecutive Producer
- Jane FeatherstoneExecutive Producer
Writing
- Joe BartonWriter
Direction
- Alex GabassiDirector
- Lisa GunningDirector
Cinematography
- Mark PattenDirector of Photography
- Giulio BiccariDirector of Photography
Music
- Martin PhippsOriginal Music Composer
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- NetflixStreaming
- Netflix Standard with AdsStreaming
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