Keira Knightley Debuts Her Undercover Agent in ‘Black Doves’ Christmas Spy Thriller

Keira Knightley is making her Black Doves debut.

The Netflix spy thriller was first announced back in April 2023 as a U.K. commission, from in-demand writer Joe Barton and production company Sister (Chernobyl, The Power). Netflix, earlier during the 2024 Edinburgh TV Festival, announced it had already ordered a second season of Black Doves ahead of the first season’s debut.

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Now, with the first look image (above) and teaser (below), Black Doves is taking shape, as Knightley plays a British agent whose cover is threatened when her secret lover is assassinated, and she goes looking for revenge.

Season one debuts Dec. 5, 2024.

And with the first look, Netflix has revealed more of the synopsis.

The British star plays Helen Webb, a dedicated wife and mother and professional spy. Having passed her politician husband’s secrets to the Black Doves, a shadowy group, Webb’s covert identity is endangered when a lover, played by Andrew Koji, is murdered and she looks to avenge his death. That has Helen and Sam Young, an old friend (Ben Whishaw), himself a Champagne-drinking former assassin, on a mission to discover who killed Webb’s lover, and why. But that investigation only lands the duo deeper into a conspiracy linking the murky London underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.

The thriller is set during Christmas in London, and ultimately has Webb and Young coming to terms with moral choices they made over the years as their pasts catch up with them.

Barton (Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project) created, wrote and executive produces Black Doves.

The first season cast includes Sarah Lancashire, Luther Ford, Tracey Ullman, Kathryn Hunter and Omari Douglas. The Sister and Noisy Bear series is also executive produced by Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry and Knightley, with Harry Munday producing. The series is directed by Alex Gabassi (The Crown) and Lisa Gunning (The Power).

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