The Black Doves cast and where you recognise them from
Kiera Knightley back in action (sans baker boy hat)
Keira Knightley in December might make you immediately think of baker boy hats and Love Actually, but there's a new character in town for you to obsess over. The actress takes centre stage in Netflix's Black Doves, which you can watch on the streaming service now. It's a thriller which sees her playing Helen, a spy who has been trading secrets about her politician husband for years. But when her secret lover gets killed, she's pulled into an increasingly terrifying situation, where, with the help of her best friend, she tries to figure out WTF is happening.
As the official Netflix synopsis explains, "Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, Black Doves is a sharp, action-filled, and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy.
"For 10 years, she’s been passing on her politician husband’s secrets to the shadowy organisation she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls in Helen’s old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe. "
If you've been watching the show and wondering where you recognise the cast from, we've got all the details on their characters and previous roles. As a reminder of the Netflix Black Doves cast:
- Keira Knightley as Helen Webb
- Ben Whishaw as Sam
- Sarah Lancashire as Reed
- Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb
- Andrew Koji as Jason
- Paapa Essiedu as Emore Fitch
- Omari Douglas as Michael
- Kathryn Hunter as Lenny Lines
- Sam Troughton as Stephen Yarrick
- Ella Lily Hyland as Williams
- Adam Silver as Arnie
- Ken Nwosu as Bill
- Adeel Akhtar as Prime Minister Richard Reeves
- Gabrielle Creevy as Eleanor
Black Doves cast - Andrew Buchan
Character: Wallace Webb
Andrew plays Helen's politician husband Wallace, who is completely oblivious to her secret life as a spy.
You probably recognise Andrew from his roles in Broadchurch and Industry, while he has also starred in The Crown as Andrew Parker Bowles, The ABC Murders and COBRA.
Black Doves cast - Kathryn Hunter
Character: Lennie Lines
Kathryn plays Lennie in Black Doves, who Netflix describe as "the person who gives Sam his first job. She’s as violent and dangerous as she is witty and sharp."
You might recognise her from Andor and The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Black Doves cast - Ben Whishaw
Character: Sam
Ben plays Sam, Helen's best friend who has "returned to London to assist his friend who’s trying to revenge the murder of her secret lover, and sometimes not very successfully."
You most likely recognise Ben from This Is Going To Hurt, the Paddington film franchise, Skyfall and Spectre.
Black Doves cast - Gabrielle Creevy (far left)
Character: Eleanor
Gabrielle plays Eleanor, who Netflix describes as "a dry, cynical assassin who hides her need for companionship behind a dark sense of humour."
The Welsh actress has also been in Three Women (2023) and In My Skin (2018).
Black Doves cast - Ella Lily Hyland
Character: Williams
Ella, far right, plays "A freelance assassin who works for Lenny, Williams might seem cold and cynical, but she has an innocent heart that’s at odds with the world she’s a part of."
She's previously been in Fifteen Love and Silent Roar.
Black Doves cast - Omari Douglas
Character: Michael
Omari Douglas, who you'll recognise from It's a Sin plays Michael, Sam's boyfriend who he's
Black Doves cast - Keira Knightley
Character: Helen Webb
Keira Knightley plays the lead, Helen, who works for a private espionage company who has been selling secrets about her husband, while pretending to live a life of domesticity.
Of course, Keira is known for her role in Love Actually, and the iconic Bend It Like Beckham, but she's also been in Atonement, Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride & Prejudice.
Black Doves cast - Paapa Essiedu
Character: Elmore Fitch
According to Netflix, Paapa plays "Elmore Fitch, an ex-SAS soldier turned hitman. A reluctant killer, he sees no other way to use his skills so has turned to the lonely life of the triggerman."
You likely recognise him from The Capture, I May Destroy You and an episode of Black Mirror.
Black Doves cast - Sarah Lancashire
Character: Reed
Sarah plays Reed, "a spy mistress working for the Black Doves. She recruited Helen in good faith, and Helen has been a bit of a loose cannon."
Sarah's most recognisable role is in Happy Valley, where she plays Catherine Cawood, but you'll also recognise her from Last Tango in Halifax and Julia.
Black Doves cast - Adeel Akhtar
Character: Prime Minister Richard Eaves
Adeel plays Richard Eaves, the Conservative prime minister of the United Kingdom.
You'll recognise him from the Harlan Coben series Fool Me Once, as well as Industry and Showtrial.
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