Helen Webb and Sam Young are back and, according to the critics, better than ever.
Black Doves returned to Netflix on Thursday for its second season. Two years ago, Season 1 received nominations at the Golden Globes (Knightley), Critics Choice Awards (Knightley), Independent Spirit Awards (Whishaw), BAFTA Awards (Costumes), and GLAAD Media Awards (New Series), among others. Does Season 2 live up to the hype? Critics say yes.
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Reviews are still trickling in, but the six new episodes currently have a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83 score on Metacritic. Those are much better than the critics' totals from 2024, when Season 1 nabbed a 92% at RT and a 78 score at Metacritic.
The British action thriller stars Keira Knightley as Helen, a spy who works for the titular secret organization, and Ben Whishaw as Sam, a formerly retired hitman who returns to the fold. New cast members in Season 2 include Babou Ceesay, Sam Riley, Neve Campbell, Sylvia Hoeks, Goran Kostic, and Samuel Barnett. Creator Joe Barton is the writer and executive producer.
Keira Knightley in 'Black Doves' Season 2
Let's dive into the reviews for the second season of Black Doves.
THE POSITIVE
"These six episodes are immensely bingeable," writes Amelia Harvey of Nerdspin. "Fast-paced, sharp-witted and immensely funny, this is Netflix at its best. Here is hoping the streamer makes the right decision and gives us 10 more seasons of Black Doves."
Alex Bear of Geek Girl Riot says, "If you need something to liven up these dark winter nights, make sure Black Doves Season 2 is on your watch list — it has just the right amount of cold-blooded action, whip-smart acting, and gripping tension that British spy thrillers do best."
Ben Travers of IndieWire calls it an "excellent, existential spy thriller," adding, "It does a fine job illustrating why anyone trying to manipulate our feelings for their own gains is not to be trusted; why compassion for our fellow man is what saves us, rather than what holds us down."
Carly Lane of Collider joins the refrain: "While Black Doves uses its return as an opportunity to build out an even bigger world around the core characters, it does so without sacrificing the blend of action thrills and dark comedy at its heart."
Nick Schager of The Daily Beast praises the "brisk and cutting" writing and "nuanced and compelling" performances from the likes of Knightley and Whishaw, calling it a "rare TV affair that wholly avoids lulls."
"Having these amazing actors all return (and amazing new talent arrive) says a lot about the production," notes Karina Adelgaard of Heaven of Horror. "I mean, Keira Knightley is even an executive producer on Black Doves, which I love!"
Babou Ceesay and Keira Knightley in 'Black Doves' Season 2
THE MIXED
Matt Maytum of New Musical Express isn't quite as enthusiastic. "Considerable suspension of disbelief is required throughout," he begins, "but it's a blast being dragged along for this dangerously enjoyable ride."
Sean Morrison of Screen Rant chimes in, "If Black Doves Season 1 was Casino Royale, meaning a clever and emotional reinterpretation of the spy genre, Season 2 is Spectre: a slightly underwhelming return to form."
Ben Dowell of The Times writes, "Moving? Deep? Nice try. This is a rollercoaster show, an adrenaline ride. Just enjoy it. It's fun. Honestly."
Finally, there's Jonathan Wilson of Ready Steady Cut, who says, "This isn't so much character development as pieces being flicked across a game board by the questing finger of some capricious deity. It is, however, tremendous fun."
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