All entries contain spoilers
Plot
Helen begins a passionate affair with a man who has no idea what her secret identity is. Caught at gunpoint when her lover falls victim to London’s dangerous underworld, Helen’s employer calls on Sam to protect her. Appeared in Graham Norton’s Gossip Girl: Cher/Keira Knightley/Michael Fassbender/Josh Brolin/Jalen Ngonda (2024). Black Doves is a smart and entertaining twist on the spy genre. Helen and Sam’s personal lives are filled with deception, twists and disappointments, as we see the price paid for playing the game.
Things get complicated
These are not robotic assassins with no lives or aspirations outside of their work as black doves. But the mix of personal and professional doesn’t dampen the action in the slightest. There’s plenty of gunplay, along with wit and intrigue. While it’s smarter than your average action series, the show never takes itself too seriously. The tightrope between thrilling action, intriguing espionage, and complex leads is walked with ease.
It’s not wise to joke with Helen Webb
Keira Knightley has repeatedly demonstrated her versatility in stellar films such as Pride and Prejudice, Redemption, Anna Karenina, and A Dangerous Method. Yet who would have thought she could turn up her tail and be completely convincing as a woman of deadly abilities? Ben Whishaw is a good choice for the actress. From The Lobster, to The Watch, Fargo, and Women Speak, Whishaw has taken on a variety of roles with impressive results. Whether eliminating mercenaries or contemplating the constraints her job places on her personal life, Sam fits Helen’s complexity.
The leads aren’t the only thing that makes Black Doves special
Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley, Julia) shines as the quiet but deadly serious «guardian» of the Doves. Reed is another clever take on a key element of the spy thriller: talent management. It would be remiss to ignore Kathryn Hunter’s wonderful performance as Lenny. He may not be on Reed’s level in the world of violent crime, but that’s not something to be taken lightly. Hunter can do no wrong, as his excellent work in Harry Potter, Macbeth, and Les Misérables attests.
Bravo and highly recommended
Six engaging episodes leave you wanting more. Fortunately, a return to the London underworld, as well as 10 Downing Street, is almost certain. «One Hundred Years of Solitude» is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month. Check out our December calendar to find out more!