Keira Knightley’s new seriesBlack Dovesmade a splash immediately upon its release on the streaming service Netflix with its unique take on the spy thriller genre. The series follows Helen, a spy who learns thather lover Jason has been killed, as she attempts to uncover the plot that led to his death while simultaneously trying to protect her family and maintain her secret identity. Along with Keira Knightley,Black Dovesfeatures an impressive castwhose performances have already been lauded by critics.
Black Doveshas quickly become one of Netflix’s most successful releases of the 2024 holiday season and currently holds a 97% critics approval rating onRotten Tomatoes. Reviews have praised the plot and the twists thatBlack Doveshas added to the typical spy series.Black Dovesdoes have some common thriller elements, such asHelen’s secret identityand suspense, but the series is able to expand on the genre by adding new layers of emotion. Season 2 ofBlack Doveshas already been confirmed, and there are several similar shows that fans of the genre can enjoy while waiting.
The Continental
Cast
The Continental: Set within the John Wick universe, this miniseries follows Winston Scott as he is drawn into a network of assassins. After his brother’s attack on the Continental hotel, Winston must navigate the underworld to restore order, positioned in the backdrop of the iconic hotel.
Despite only being a short miniseries,The Continentalpacks a lot of excitement. Based in theJohn Wickfranchise and set in the 1970s, the series revolves around the Continental hotel, which is a sanctuary for assassins. Featuring intense action throughout, The Continental leans heavily on the same sort of violence that fueled theJohn Wickmovies, offering shootouts, martial arts battles, knife fights, and more.
WhileThe Continentalhas some grittier aspects thanBlack Doves,it is a great follow-up for fans who want a more action-focused thriller. While there are certainly some action sequences inBlack Dovesthat prove the characters' abilities to fight, the series is just as much about their ability to blend into high society and the British government to investigate the secrets hiding behind the recent assassinations.The Continentalperfectly encapsulates some of the same portrayals of assassins, but it leans further into a darker, seedier tone thanBlack Doves.
Treason
Treason is a 2022 espionage thriller series that delves into the world of political intrigue. It follows Adam Lawrence, an MI6 agent whose career and personal life are thrown into disarray when he reconnects with a Russian spy named Kara. As Adam grapples with the complexities of trust and loyalty, he must navigate a labyrinth of secrets and deception that threaten global security.
While Helen inBlack Dovesworks for an organization that is outside the government and attempts to uncover how the events and unraveling secrets are connected,Treasonfocuses on an MI6 agent attempting to determine the truth while being pursued by Russian and American agentswho believe he knows more than he is letting on. The series is led by Charlie Cox, who creates a believable persona as Adam Lawrence, as he tries to find the truth before it is too late.
Treasonis very similar toBlack Dovesboth in tone and in its themes. Despite Adam and Helen being very different types of spies, they both become involved in plots that are much further reaching than they initially seem. Additionally, despite their secrets and lies, both main characters are primarily concerned with protecting their families, andthey ultimately have good hearts, which makes audiences want to root for themdespite their less favorable traits.
The Night Manager
The Night Manager is a drama thriller miniseries based on John le Carré’s novel, featuring Tom Hiddleston as a former British soldier who infiltrates the inner circle of an arms dealer, played by Hugh Laurie. The series covers an ever-increasing game of cat and mouse where one false move could spell disaster for either party.
The Night Manageris a great follow-up toBlack Dovesbecauseit centers on an unexpected spy who is tasked with taking down a notorious arms dealer. Jonathan Pine is a former soldier, turned night manager of a hotel in Cairo, who is recruited by an agent of the British government to help gather evidence on the arms dealer, Richard Roper. Similar to Helen’s hunt for Jason’s killer inBlack Doves, Pine is determined to find Roper and get revenge for the murder of his love.
The Night Managerholds a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and has received numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.
Along with the similarities between the plots ofThe Night ManagerandBlack Doves, the two series are also both very highly regarded.The Night Managerholds a 91% onRotten Tomatoesand has received numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes. The series also boasts a great cast led by Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, who heighten the drama in each of their scenes. And likeBlack Doves,The Night Managerhas another season on the way.
The Blacklist
The Blacklist follows Raymond “Red” Reddington, a notorious fugitive, who shocks the FBI by surrendering and offering to help capture dangerous criminals. With a mysterious agenda, Reddington insists on working exclusively with rookie FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen, using his deep knowledge of an elusive criminal network.
NBC’s seriesThe Blacklistwas one of the most popular shows on television during its 10-year run, and it kept viewers entertained with new crimes every episode. The series centered on the notorious criminal,Raymond Reddington, played by James Spader, who turns himself in to the FBI in order to assist in catching other criminals.The Blacklistreceived many positive reviews and was awarded one Emmy Award during its runtime.
The two shows always keep viewers guessing, andThe Blacklistis especially great for audiences who enjoy a slightly quicker dramatic arc and resolution.
The Blacklistis a great next watch for fans ofBlack Doveswho most enjoy the crime and crime solving aspects of the series. BecauseBlack Dovesfollows one unraveling crime throughout the entirety of its first season andThe Blacklistlargely focuses on different crimes and criminals in each episode, their tones and themes can be quite different at times, but this is what makes them work together. The two shows always keep viewers guessing, andThe Blacklistis especially great for audiences who enjoy a slightly quicker dramatic arc and resolution.
London Spy
London Spy, released in 2015, is a mystery-romance series exploring the intersection of two contrasting worlds. When a love affair emerges between a man connected to the Secret Intelligence Service and another from a life of clubs and indulgence, it spirals into intrigue as one inexplicably vanishes.
London Spyis another great British spy thriller that features a similar premise toBlack Doves. The series centers on Danny, a regular man who falls in love with a man named Alex. However, when Alex disappears and Danny finds his body, he is thrust into a new world as he discovers Alex was secretly an MI6 agent.Danny, like Helen inBlack Doves, decides to investigate his lover’s deathand uncovers new secrets that shock him along the way.
While the premise ofLondon Spyitself is already similar toBlack Doves,the BBC show also features a familiar face. Ben Whishaw, who stars as Sam inBlack Doves, plays the main character Danny inLondon Spy. While Sam is an experienced assassin, Danny is a normal man who is forced into a dangerous situation and must learn to be a spy as he gradually uncovers more of the truth about Alex.
The Bureau
The Bureau is a French espionage drama series centered on the lives and activities of agents in the DGSE, France’s external intelligence agency. The show delves into the complex professional and personal lives of the agents, focusing on Guillaume “Malotru” Debailly, who struggles with his return to normal life after a deep-cover mission in Syria. Combining intrigue and realism, it offers a gripping look at the world of intelligence.
The Bureauis a highly regarded French thriller series that is perfect for fans ofBlack Doveswho are interested in a realistic portrayal of the daily lives of spies. Inspired by stories from real life spies,The Bureaufocuses on the agent Guillaume Debailly, played by Mathieu Kassovitz, who was a deep cover agent in Damascus before returning to France. The series creates a detailed portrayal of Debailly’s life, including his personal struggles and attempts to maintain his standing as an agent.
Black Doves Season 1 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In Netflix’s Thriller Show
Keira Knightley’s acclaimed new Netflix espionage series Black Doves has a strong soundtrack full of classic Christmas hits and other great songs.
Like Helen Webb,Guillaume Debailly is a character that struggles to maintain his secret identity with his family life. The characters inThe Bureauare complex and often make choices that further complicate their relationships and work, but, just as inBlack Doves, that is what makesThe Bureauso entertaining.
Killing Eve
Killing Eve is a black comedy thriller series starring Sandra Oh as British intelligence officer Eve Polastri who is assigned to track and capture a dangerous assassin named Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer. Bored with her life, Eve finds herself hired by an undercover MI6 division tasked with tracking down Villanelle - who, after just a brief time studying and following her, she becomes obsessed with her. However, the obsession becomes mutual as soon the two enter a game of cat and mouse that deviates them from their missions as they venture to learn more about one another.
The critically acclaimed BBC seriesKilling Evefollows the MI5 agent, Eve Polastri, as she gets recruited by MI6 to hunt down a notorious assassin named Villanelle. The two begin to form a tangled obsession with each other in their cat and mouse game that often leads to those around them getting hurt.Killing Evefeatures a great cast led by Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, and all the actors give great performances throughout the series.
The relationship between Eve and Villanelle is one of the best aspects ofKilling Eve, and the actors' chemistry is held up by great writing and entertaining plotlines.Killing Eveis a great pairing withBlack Dovesbecause of the outstanding writing and complex plot. The characters and the details feel very intentional, and both shows are perfectly able to blend just the right amount of action with emotion and, even occasionally, humor.
The Diplomat
Set within the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, The Diplomat follows the challenges and intricacies faced by an ambassador as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. The series explores the delicate balance between personal and professional responsibilities amidst global tensions and the pursuit of peace.
For fans ofBlack Doves' twisting political secrets,The Diplomatis a great watch. Currently in its second season,The Diplomathas already been renewed for a third season and has received critical acclaim. There are several familiar faces inThe Diplomat’s cast who are well known for their roles in drama films and series that bring each scene to life. Additionally, the series has been very well received and currently holds an 89% approval rating onRotten Tomatoesalong with being nominated for numerous awards.
The Diplomatstars Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, the US ambassador to the United Kingdom. Kate attempts to maintain order between the two countries as well as other parties, while simultaneously trying to manage her personal life. As problems arise,Kate is tasked with solving them while avoiding making any crises worse, putting emphasis on the entertaining and dramatic aspects of her political life. While Kate is not a spy like Helen is, the characters are somewhat similar in their attempts to understand the deeper issues that lead to their respective personal and political troubles.
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a suspenseful thriller in which a dedicated FBI agent becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering an emergency line call. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the agent uncovers a mole within the White House, posing significant risks to national security.
The Night Agentis another great spy thriller to watch afterBlack Dovesfor viewers who enjoy action and surprising twists.The Night Agentfollows FBI agent Peter Sutherlandin his job monitoring a secret telephone line in the White House. When Peter receives a call on that line from a woman named Rose, he is thrown into a world of secrecy that he never knew existed, forcing him to go on the hunt for a traitor within the US government.
LikeBlack Doves,The Night Agenthas also been very well received by audiences, and with one season having been released, season 2 is scheduled to arrive on Netflix in January 2025. ThoughThe Night Agenthas received slightly more mixed critical reviews thanBlack Doves, audience reviews have remarked on how fun and bingeable the series is (viaRotten Tomatoes), making it the perfect next watch.
Slow Horses
Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents led by the notorious Jackson Lamb. Set against the backdrop of the espionage world, the agents must navigate complex operations and defend England from sinister forces, all while dealing with internal struggles and their abrasive boss.
Slow Horsesis the perfect follow-up seriesfor fans ofBlack Doveswho enjoyed the series' complex characters and unusual spies.Slow Horsesstars Gary Oldman as the leader of an MI5 group that are banished to Slough House and deemed unworthy of more difficult cases. Each of the characters has their own faults and personal problems, but the team still manages to solve crimes in their own way.
While Waiting For Slow Horses Season 5, Watch Netflix’s New 100% RT British Spy Thriller
While waiting for Slow Horses season 5, fans of the show can enjoy Netflix’s new spy thriller, Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw.
Though the spies ofSlow Horsesmay not be as sleek as Keira Knightley’s Helen and Ben Whishaw’s Sam, they do deal with complex cases that highlight the show’s twists and turns. Additionally, the cast’s performances as well as the writing forSlow Horseshas garnered the series a reputation equal toBlack Doves. The series has been nominated for and won numerous awards, proving that it is a worthwhile watch for fans ofBlack Doves.
Black Doves
Black Doves is a suspenseful thriller released in December 2024. It follows a spy masquerading as a politician’s wife who, after discovering her lover’s murder, joins forces with an old assassin associate to uncover the truth and seek revenge.
