British screenwriter Joe Barton‘s first foray into Netflix TV, “The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself,” didn’t really find an audience.  Too bad, because Barton is one of the better scripters on the scene today.  Maybe his “Black Doves,” his latest project for the streamer, will fare better?
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It almost certainly will, thanks to the star power leading it (and because “Black Doves” bears a superficial resemblance to Barton’s 2019 breakout “Giri/Haji“).  Kiera Knightley and Ben Whishaw star in the London-set spy series, about a professional spy who must uncover an international conspiracy after a lover gets murdered, putting her double life in jeopardy.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Black Doves,” courtesy of Netflix: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, 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 is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed, calls in Helen’s old friend Sam to keep her safe. Together, Helen and Sam set off on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why, leading them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy linking the murky London underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.
Along with Knightley and Whishaw, “Black Doves” also stars Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan, Andrew Koji, Omari Douglas, and Kathryn Hunter.  Sam Throughton, Ella Lily Hyland, Gabrielle Creevy, and Paapa Essiedu also star.  Adeel Akhtar, Finn Bennett, Luther Ford, Adam Silver, Ken Nwosu, and Tracey Ullman round out the main cast.
Barton serves as writer, creator, and executive producer on “Black Doves.” Other executive producers include Jane Featherstone and Knightley via SISTER.  Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning share directing duties on the series, while Harry Munday serves as producer.
Netflix likes “Black Doves” so much pre-release that the streamer has already greenlit a Season 2. But will audiences feel the same way? Find out when the series hits Netflix on December 5. Watch the new trailer for the spy show below.