First Look at Black Doves Season 2 Shows Emotional Scenes in London
Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw have been captured in an emotional first look at the highly-anticipated second series of Netflix's spy thriller Black Doves. The actors appeared tense and heartfelt while filming a scene in London's iconic Trafalgar Square this week, wrapped in a rainy night shoot that promises dramatic developments for their characters.
Rainy London Shoot Reveals Tense Moments
The 40-year-old Knightley and 45-year-old Whishaw were seen embracing beside the landmark during Thursday night's filming, with Knightley wearing a long trench coat against the capital's damp weather. This scene marks a continuation of the sleek, visually striking production that characterized the first season, which became one of Netflix's most discussed UK shows upon its December 2024 release.
Returning Characters and Plot Details
Knightley will reprise her role as Helen Webb, a Conservative politician's wife leading a double life as a secret agent, while Whishaw returns as Sam Young, a skilled assassin and former trainee of Webb. The second series continues their battle to protect Helen's identity as a 'Black Dove' after the mysterious murder of her lover Jason Davies, with Young returning to London to help investigate the killing.
Massive Success of First Season
The debut series achieved remarkable success, amassing 60 million views in its first week and earning a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from fans within a day of launch. The thriller, set in London during December, follows Helen as she passes secrets uncovered from her politician husband to the Black Doves organization headed by the enigmatic Reed, played by Happy Valley actress Sarah Lancashire.
Royal Endorsement and Season 2 Confirmation
The series' popularity even reached Kensington Palace, where Prince William revealed during a Christmas event that he and Princess Catherine had been watching Black Doves. A second series was confirmed in December 2024 with a celebratory clip showing Knightley and Whishaw breaking the fourth wall to toast both seasons.
In that 30-second clip shared on Netflix's official X account, Knightley's character whispers "Merry Christmas" to Whishaw's character, who responds "Hello darling" before they share a hug and drop golden bullets into champagne glasses while hinting at season two.
Production Status and Availability
Filming for Black Doves season two continues across London with no official release date yet announced. The first season remains available for streaming on Netflix, featuring additional performances from Andrew Buchan as Helen's politician husband and Andrew Koji as her secret lover Jason.
