Black Doves

[Drunk Monk]

I thought I posted this trailer but no…



I’m halfway thru the 6 eps of season 1 (each about an hour). It’s alright. Keira is a politician’s wife, mother of twins, and a spy. Ben (Q) is a gay former spy colleague turned hitman. I was excited to see Andrew Koji from Warrior & Bullet Train again but he gets killed in he very first scene (his role continues in flashbacks).

There’s a cold blooded undertone and a few nice spins on the spy game, all highly improbable as spy stories can be. The show seems fascinated with spattering blood on the killer’s faces, especially Keira, who still looks young in her 40s except for some fine distinguished lines that are hardly wrinkles at all. Those cheekbones and her fine nose are still gorgeous. There’s some good British gallows humor, some shootouts and hand2hand fights, plus character back story - e3 is almost all flashback, the creation stories behind Keira (Helen) & Ben (Sam) - how they got started in the spy biz and became who they are now. 

I’m down for the rest. It’s not super stellar but still enjoyable. Potter factor 1 - Arabella Figg

[Drunk Monk]

Seen.

It’s a Christmas series! Like Agatha All Along was for Balloween, Black Doves is for Xmas.

Good to see Tracy Ullman again. It’s been too long and her part was too short. 

It ends well - closure achieved on all fronts plus the door is ajar for a second season.

D00M recommended.

[Greg]

Caught the first episode. When they said sex in the warning they weren't kidding or pointing in the direction I would go. The tone seemed to shift from Rom-Com to spy thriller quickly. I do like the older lady giving the orders.

Will watch more.

[Drunk Monk]

Don’t worry. That’s the only man butt scene for your virgin eyes. They explore the gay relationship much further but not graphically. 

I liked the BD handler too. She’s a great character throughout the series.

[Greg]

They were not shy.

[Drunk Monk]

Noteworthy 

Will there be a Black Doves season 2? Here's everything we know
Keira Knightley plays a vengeful spy in season 1 of the new Netflix TV series.
BY CHARLEY ROSS AND LIAN BROOKS
6 December 2024

Ludovic Robert/Netflix

As Netflix drops spy thriller TV series Black Doves, we need to know one thing – will there be as season 2?
The TV show – which we just know is going to be a hit – follows the story of Keira Knightley's Helen Webb, a politician's wife who has been leaking government's secrets for a decade in her role as a spy. When her secret lover is killed on the South Bank, she is set on revenge – but must also consider that his killer might be after her too, so she must protect her family from the dark presence who murdered the man she loved.
One thing we would also say is that while Black Doves centres around avenging the death of a romantic lover, there is platonic love at the centre too. The friendship between Keira's character Helen and Ben Whishaw's Sam is a beautiful thing to watch – even when they're plotting murders. If you love festive feels and shoot outs, this show is for you.
It's a super exciting premise, with a female spy lead. We love to see it. Here's everything we know about a potential Black Doves season 2.

Has Black Doves season 2 been confirmed?
Yes – in a rare move from Netflix, the streamer confirmed that the show has already been renewed for a second season, before the first season even drops. This was announced at Edinburgh TV festival earlier this year. We're even more excited for what's to come now.
Show boss Joe Barton has already opened up to Deadline about the pressure mounting on both season 1 and 2. "It's a different kind of pressure now," he said. "When you do a show you are always wanting it to do well to get a second season but now they've already let us come back the pressure is about hoping it does well to reward that faith."

The rest of this article drops a major spoiler without warning. Stupid Glamour. Read no further.

[Greg]

Ben Whipshaw's character is far more interesting than Kiera Knightley's character.. I hope Ben says the same thing at the end of every episode.

[Drunk Monk]

Keira gets more … complicated.

One of the things I really liked about this show was that they weren’t a couple. They’re great partners with tremendous love for each other but it never goes romantic. That’s off the table from the get go (and by that we mean man butt). 

I’m eager for season 2.

[Greg]

Finished. Five and a half really solid episodes. Still like Sam better than Helen. The last half of the last episode was a lot of wrapping up and talky talky. I felt really bad for Helen's husband. I did like Tracey Ullman character who came in and nailed it.

[Drunk Monk]

Still like Sam better than Helen. 

Same is gay
Helen is hawt

We all make our choices...