? Queen of period dramas Kiera Knightley leaves an impression on a contemporary production in spy thriller Black Doves. Helen Webb (Knightley) is a run-of-the-mill wife — to UK Defence Secretary Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchanan) — and mother of two, but is secretly a member of the Black Doves, a private spy organization with no allegiance except to the highest bidder.

When Helen’s lover is murdered, it triggers an obsessive manhunt for the killer. Her handler (Sarah Lancashire) tasks Sam Young (the talented Ben Whishaw) — already fractured in his own way — to keep the tight-wound agent out of trouble.

The series, with a tight six-episode run, has been praised for its strong performances. With drama heavy-hitters like Knightley, Whishaw, Lancashire, and Buchanan on the roster, as well as sharing producers with the critically acclaimed Chernobyl, it’s no surprise that Black Doves has already been renewed for a second season even before its premiere.

The Die Hard debate: With the show being set — and released — around Christmas, and festive lights and holiday music in the background, we expect the same online arguments that Die Hard triggered, asking whether Black Doves is technically a Christmas show. In any case, we’ll be waiting for next year’s holiday season for another installment.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can find Black Doves on Netflix, or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:33).

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