Keira Knightley in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

Launch with all six episodes on Netflix on December 5, “Black doves“It almost feels like it could be a cross between an expensive BBC drama and a Shane Black movie.

The former for the production values ​​and star-studded British-led cast (with funding coming instead from the world’s largest streaming service) and the latter for the chewy, satisfying dialogue, occasional bursts of violence and Christmas setting.

Do “Black Doves” fly high?

Ben Whishaw in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

“Black Doves” is the latest series created by Joe Barton, a television veteran whose career to date includes the excellent, if little-seen (and quickly canceled) “Giri/Haji” and more recently the sci-fi thriller tortuous fiction.The Lazarus Project.’

We’d predict that “Black Doves” probably gave him less of a headache than his last concert, which isn’t to say it doesn’t include its own twists and turns like Keira KnightleyThe character dives into a mystery with international implications.

Screenplay and direction

(L to R) Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley in “Black Doves.” Photo: Netflix.

Barton also wrote all six scripts (probably another reason why it feels so British – he had a singular vision guiding him from the executive producer’s desk), and it gives the whole series a cohesive feel.

It’s a propulsive, darkly funny action thriller that’s broken up into episodic chunks, and for the most part works really, really well. The fight scenes are impressive but not overused, and the conversations feel authentically human even if they involve geopolitics or the main mystery surrounding them.

Yes, there are certainly moments heavy with the tropes common to so many thrillers of this genre, but few feel predictable enough to the point of spoiling the effect.

Directors Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning directed three episodes each and, as with Barton’s writing, they all feel like a whole. The action is dynamic and the spectacle as a whole is magnificent. It helps that the backdrop is a glittering London at Christmas, but this isn’t a glossy romantic comedy.

Representations

With Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw as a focal point, the entire cast has something to contribute.

Keira Knightley as Helen Webb

Keira Knightley in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

We’ve seen Knightley do action in the past, but his character here is more complex and nuanced than many of his film roles. Helen is a woman with a checkered past whose life is divided between her family and her duty – even if that duty is to a mercenary spy company rather than to her country.

Here, the actress gets the chance to combine her natural charm with a tough side that suits her well. And she makes a great double act with Whishaw.

Ben Whishaw as Sam Young

Ben Whishaw in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

With espionage experience under his belt (much more than the tech-loving Q in the Daniel Craig Bond), Whishaw taps into something primal for Sam “Doves” – he’s a man who accepts the life of a fixer for the organization, while also showing a vulnerable side that aches to return to normal life with her ex, Michael. (a superb Omari Douglas).

It’s a different side of Whishaw than we’re used to seeing on screen, and welcome.

Sarah Lancashire like Reed

Sarah Lancashire in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

Lancashire, British acting royalty at this point thanks in part to his remarkable work in ‘happy valley‘, is a convincing mix of Knightley’s imperious manager and agent of the Ice Queen.

She may not straight up bloody her hands (she has people for that), but she enters scenes and delivers what could be a difficult exposition with grace and style.

Catherine Hunter as Lenny Lines

Kathryn Hunter in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

Hunter has become a reliable scene-stealer and here plays the uncompromising crime boss Lenny, who rules with an iron fist. Her scenes, especially with Whishaw (whose character she once worked for), are always full of energy and danger.

He is an actor who can do a lot even with the smallest role.

Tracey Ullman like Alex

We won’t go into exactly what Ullman’s role is, because that’s a bit of a spoiler, but suffice it to say that when she appears, she really makes an impact.

Other notable figures

(L to R) Gabrielle Creev, Katherine Hunter and Ella Lily Hyland in “Black Doves.” Photo: Netflix.

The rest of the “Doves” ensemble is made up of a reliable group of British (and American) artists, with Gabrielle Creevy And Antonia Campbell-Hughes both excellent as talkative assassins, while Andrew Buchan is a loyal political husband to Helen, who can do more than just be her other half.

If there’s an actor who seems aggrieved by their role, that’s fine. Andrew Kojiwho appears primarily in brief flashbacks and serves primarily as a plot point rather than a character.

Final Thoughts

Ben Whishaw in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

These aren’t all the spy thrillers you might see making it onto your Christmas re-watch list. And while “Black Doves” may not be perfect –– slipping into cliché at times –– it’s still a very entertaining example of the genre, with excellent writing and strong performances.

“Black Doves” receives 8 out of 10 stars.

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TV-MA2 seasonsDecember 5, 2024

What is the story of the “Black Doves”?

Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, “Black Doves” is a story of friendship and sacrifice.

It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth and dedicated wife and mother – and professional spy. For 10 years, she has passed on the secrets of her political husband to the obscure organization for which she works: the Black Doves.

When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is murdered, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls on Helen’s old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe.

Together, Helen and Sam embark on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why, leading them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy linking London’s troubled underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.

Who is in the cast of “Black Doves”?

• Keira Knightley as Helen
• Sarah Lancashire as Reed
• Ben Whishaw as Sam
• Andrew Koji as Jason
• Kathryn Hunter as Lenny Lines
• Tracey Ullman as Alex
• Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb
• Omari Douglas as Michael
• Sam Troughton as Stephen Yarrick
• Gabrielle Creevy as Eléonore
• Luther Ford as Hector Newman
• Isabelle Wei like Kai-Ming

Keira Knightley in “Black Doves”. Photo: Netflix.

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