The time has finally arrived as new updates about the highly anticipated spy series, “Black Doves,” starring some of the best actors in the industry, have finally taken flight!
As the stage is set for this upcoming Joe Barton project from Sister, the renowned production company responsible for some of the acclaimed series, which includes one of the well-known historical drama miniseries, “Chernobyl,” is back in action. The production company has now upped its game and returned with an interesting spy series that will undoubtedly brace the viewers for an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster trip titled “Black Doves.” The series is written by “Giri/Haji” showrunner Joe Barton, and the plot is set during Christmas time in London.
It revolves around Helen Webb, a politician’s wife, doting mother — and professional spy. For years, Helen has been passing on her husband’s secrets to the Black Doves, the shadowy organization for whom she works. But when her lover Jason is assassinated, Helen’s life is turned upside down, and only her old friend Sam Young can keep her safe. Helen and Sam set out to discover who killed Jason and why. But Sam, a suave, champagne-drinking assassin, also has problems of his own. Out of the game, since his last job went wrong, he soon realizes his past is coming back to haunt him.
In addition to this, the official logline of the series, as revealed by the makers, reads as follows:
“Together, they set off on a mission that will lead them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy, one that links the murky underworld of London to a looming geopolitical crisis — and leads them to question the cost of the moral choices they’ve made.”
That’s not the only new update that has been disclosed recently, as details about the series’ official cast members have also been acknowledged. As we know by now, the drama will see the immensely talented Knightley star as Helen, a woman with a secret identity who embarks on a passionate affair. Alongside her, there are many new actors who will join her on this gripping adventure, making it a star-studded show. Ben Whishaw as Sam (“Paddington”) and “Happy Valley’s” Sarah Lancashire as Helen’s enigmatic spymaster Reed will join hands with the leading lady in the series.
The additional cast members that have been added to the cast in October 2023 who will be joining Knightley, Lancashire, and Whishaw in the six-part series, which began filming last week in London, are as follows: Andrew Buchan (“Carnival Row”), Omari Douglas (“It’s A Sin”), Andrew Koji (“Warrior”), Kathryn Hunter (“Andor”), Sam Troughton (“Chernobyl”), Ella Lily Hyland (“Fifteen Love”), Adam Silver (“The Diplomat”), Ken Nwosu (“Look the Other Way and Run”), and Gabrielle Creevy (“In My Skin”).
“I started writing the scripts for this show over last year’s Christmas holidays, fuelled by turkey sandwiches and discarded bottles of cream liquor,” said Barton. Further adding, “To be now going into production with a cast and crew full of people whose work I admire so much is unbelievably exciting and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to see this show come to life.”
“Black Doves” is produced by Scriptwriter Joe Barton’s Noisy Bear, alongside production company Sister, and Elizabeth Murdoch-founded Sister (“Chernobyl”) for Netflix. Barton exec produces for Noisy Bear alongside Jane Featherstone (“This Is Going To Hurt”) and Chris Fry (“Giri/Haji”) for Sister and Keira Knightley. The series is directed by Alex Gabassi (“The Crown”) and Lisa Gunning (“The Power”). Harry Munday (“Kaos”) is also producing the project.
This series was the latest in a slew of new titles which were earlier announced by Netflix’s U.K. during a star-studded press event in London. In a statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the streamer’s U.K. production, saying: “It is hugely welcome to see Netflix significantly increase its investment in the U.K., demonstrating the sheer strength of our TV and film industry as the largest in Europe. Our world-renowned British creative industries employ over two million people and are growing at twice the rate of the economy – and Netflix has been a key part of this success.”
At last, the official release date hasn’t been announced yet since it’s still too early in the filmmaking process. But we’re hoping it will premiere sometime around 2024. Until any official press release by Netflix, we’ll just have to wait for the production to conclude before any more information is confirmed in the near future.