Episodes watched: 6 of 6
Hot on the heels of The Day of the Jackal, The Agency and Slow Horses comes Black Doves, the latest star-studded spy thriller – complete with a sprinkle of assassins, shady organisations and larger geopolitical conspiracies for good measure – to hit streaming services. Written by Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) the Netflix series doesn’t quite manage to dodge the typical clichés of the well worn genre, but the charming central dynamic between stars Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw makes this well worth the watch.
Undercover spy Helen (Knightley) finds herself in jeopardy when the man she was having an affair with, Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated by an unknown threat. With potential ties to the recent death of a Chinese diplomat and the disappearance of his daughter, Helen’s spymaster (Sarah Lancashire) calls in her old colleague and close friend Sam (Whishaw) to protect her from an increasingly escalating situation as she investigates his death.
For those of you who love a good mystery at Christmas, then this surprisingly festive six-episode spy thriller will be the perfect holiday watch. Packed with plenty of action, twists and turns, global intrigue and typically dark British humour, there’s certainly a lot to enjoy. In what begins as a seemingly clear cut tale of revenge, slowly unravels as a larger conspiracy with both Helen and Sam tangled up in an increasingly dangerous web, with plenty of criminal and political parties involved.
While comparisons to Apple TV+ series Slow Horses are a given, what sets this apart from the award-winning British spy series is the warmth of Helen and Sam’s central dynamic. The unlikely spy/assassin duo is incredibly endearing and also hilarious, undoubtedly proving the best thing about the show, especially when hurling insults or “darlings” mid shoot-out. Through their arcs we get a glimpse at the cost of living dual lives, their sacrifices for each other and also the poignant realisation of what really matters, especially at Christmas.
Both leads are excellent and clearly relishing roles which go against their usual fare. While the pair excel in both the action sequences and quieter moments, Knightley in particular impresses when switching between drama and comedy. Meanwhile, Whishaw shines as the triggerman with a heart who’s haunted by a past hit which went awry, costing him the love of his life (Omari Douglas). When he returns to London his past catches up to him, forcing him to team up with reckless but equally entertaining freelance assassins Williams (Ella Lily Hyland) and Eleanor (Gabrielle Creevy) – who both often threaten to steal the show.
While the plot often gets bogged down by the sheer amount of major players involved – including multiple London criminal gangs, shady spy outfits and various global political players (who you’ll undoubtedly forget who’s who), it’s not quite as polished as it could be. However, the (often bloody) action is outstanding, with slick car chases, hand to hand knife fights, assassination attempts and multiple shoot-outs, complete with a rocket launcher!
Verdict
Black Doves is an entertaining, action-packed and surprisingly heartfelt thriller which quickly joins the ranks of Spooks and Slow Horses. Starring an excellent British cast, with Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw both shining in their best roles yet, this is one of the best spy thrillers to watch this festive period.
