Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire to Star Opposite Keira Knightley in Netflix's "Black Doves"
Production on the 6-part drama has now begun in London.
Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire have joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming original drama series Black Doves starring Keira Knightley. More details about the series created by Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) have also been released today.
A story of friendship and sacrifice, the series is set during Christmastime in London. It revolves around Helen Webb (Knightley), a politician’s wife, doting mother - and professional spy. For years, Helen has been passing on her husband’s secrets to the Black Doves, the shadowy organization for whom she works. But when her lover Jason is assassinated, Helen’s life is turned upside down and only her old friend Sam Young (Whishaw) can keep her safe.
Helen and Sam set out to discover who killed Jason and why. But Sam, a suave, champagne-drinking assassin, also has problems of his own. Out of the game since his last job went wrong, he soon realizes his past is coming back to haunt him. Together, they set off on a mission that will lead them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy. One that links the murky underworld of London to a looming geopolitical crisis - and leads them to question the cost of the moral choices they’ve made.
Lancashire will play Helen’s enigmatic spymaster Reed.
Production on the six-part series began this week in London. The cast will also feature Andrew Buchan, Omari Douglas, Andrew Koji, Kathryn Hunter, Sam Troughton, Ella Lily Hyland, Adam Silver, Ken Nwosu and Gabrielle Creevy.
Barton executive produces the drama with Knightley, Jane Featherstone and Chris Fry. Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning will direct. Noisy Bear and Sister are producing in association with Netflix.
Whishaw is best known for voicing the titular character in the Paddington film franchise. He also appeared as Q in three films in the James Bond franchise - Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die. Furthermore, he won an Emmy Award in 2019 for his supporting performance in the Amazon limited series A Very English Scandal. He recently starred in the AMC+ limited series This Is Going to Hurt.
Lancashire currently stars in Max’s Julia, which returns for its second season in November. She previously starred for five seasons in BBC One’s Last Tango in Halifax and three seasons in BBC One’s Happy Valley.