Netflix’s newest spy thriller, Black Doves, is already generating a lot of buzz. After just one day of release, it’s now in the #2 slot on the streamer’s list of Top 10 TV Shows, with many praising the performance of star Keira Knightley. The six-episode series sees the former Pirates of the Caribbean actress take on the role of Helen, a spy leading a double life who faces exposure after her lover is murdered. Now, 24 hours after its debut, we already have a glimpse into what we can expect from Season 2 thanks to creator Joe Barton.

Speaking with Variety, Barton touched on a number of topics regarding his spy thriller, which is set during Christmas – something he says he loves to write about, much to the chagrin of the cast and crew who had to endure holiday music for most of the production. When asked whether Season 2 of Black Doves would be set during the same period, Barton said it’s doubtful, but also reminded us that you can never say never.

“It’s all about when it would be released. It doesn’t need to be constrained by the Christmas holiday. So it might be that there’s a different [holiday] – Easter maybe? I don’t think it has to necessarily always [be Christmas] which I’m quite sad about, because I love writing stuff set at Christmas.
“There’s a part of me that’d be like, ‘Yeah, let’s always do it at Christmas!’ But also it slightly sent everyone crazy to be stuck in a permanent Christmas state for six or seven months. Then in the edit, I mean, we were listening to Good King Wenceslas in July. And I don’t know if you want to put people through that again.”

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Thus far, Black Doves has been a hit with critics, and currently holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Called “remarkably fresh and exciting” by Entertainment Weekly’s Kristen Baldwin, the spy thriller is credited with reinvigorating the genre in a world full of John Wick copycats, and as for Knightley? Collider’s Carly Lane says that “her performance becomes more and more complex as things play out,” which is a testament to the staying power of the actress, who has been at it for more than three decades.

Season 2 of ‘Black Doves’ Will Take a Closer Look at Our Favorite Characters

Having already been renewed for a second season ahead of the premiere of Season 1, Black Doves will look to delve even deeper into its many complex characters, including Knightley’s Helen, Sarah Lancashire’s Reed, and Ben Whishaw’s Sam Young. That’s one of the great things about a series like this, as after everyone is established in the freshman outing, creators like Barton can just dive headfirst into showing us more of where they come from, and what they’re about. From the sounds of it, he’s already got a head start on things despite still being in the early stages.

“I’m writing the first episode still, and we’re kind of feeling our way through it. We filmed some flashbacks, which didn’t make the final cut, of young Helen and her stepdad and her sister Bonnie. I think that would be really interesting to find out more about.
“With the second series, I think it’s quite interesting to discover more about the characters, and Sarah’s character. We know quite a lot about Sam, but there’s always more. And just the opportunity to open the scope up a little bit, but that’s all kind of TBC at the moment.”

Seeing as how Barton is still in the script-writing stage, there’s no telling when Black Doves Season 2 will head into production. As with many Netflix shows, it could be a couple of years before it returns, and while that’s certainly disheartening for many fans, with how good Season 1 was, we expect it will be worth the wait.

Black Doves is a drama series that centers on the complex interplay of espionage and personal relationships. Focused on Helen Webb, a seasoned spy striving to balance her covert missions with a turbulent family life, the series delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. Starring Keira Knightley, it examines the moral ambiguities faced by those who live double lives in service to their countries.Release Date December 5, 2024 Seasons 1