10/21
Black Doves: Helen Webb (Keira Knightley) is a Black Dove
Helen begins a passionate affair with a man who has no idea of her secret identity. When her lover falls victim to London’s dangerous underworld, Helen finds herself targeted and her employer calls in Sam to protect her. Bingo, the owner of the guitar shop where Sam gets his guns, is played by Rat Scabies, a member of the classic punk band The Damned. Seen in Graham Norton in Guest: Cher/Keira Knightley/Michael Fassbender/Josh Brolin/Jaylen Ngonda (2024).
It’s a long-term assignment
Black Doves is a private secret service that connects its agents with potential political high-ups. Helen has been with her partner of 10 years and he is now the Secretary of Defense. Things are going smoothly until one night three people are murdered, including Helen’s lover, a civil servant. That night, the Chinese ambassador to the UK dies, apparently of a drug overdose, and his daughter disappears.
Flashbacks are cleverly used to inform and develop the narrative
A gripping political conspiracy series involving the aforementioned Black Dives, MI5, gangsters, assassins and political corruption at the highest levels. Quite brutal with several murders, some from a distance, others up close. The tension is maintained well throughout the series, with characters being killed off suddenly and more than one main character making a brief cameo appearance. On reflection, it is sometimes absurd, but I found it easy to maintain disbelief.
Six episodes on Netflix
Excellent performances by Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw as the mysterious killer and a great supporting cast. The series is laced with a subtle streak of dark humour. Created and written by Joe Barton, directed by Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning. 8/10..