Ben Whishaw on ‘Black Doves’ Season 2: Plot Directions and Character Depth

Ben Whishaw, who plays the role of Sam Young in the Netflix spy thriller ‘Black Doves,’ has shared his insights and expectations for the upcoming second season of the series. ‘Black Doves,’ which premiered on December 5, 2024, stars Whishaw alongside Keira Knightley and has garnered significant acclaim for its complex espionage plot and strong character performances.

In an interview, Whishaw expressed his fondness for the scenes he shares with Keira Knightley, who portrays Helen Webb, a deep undercover spy. He mentioned that the chemistry between their characters is a highlight of the show and something he would like to see more of in the second season. “For me, the really pleasurable things are the scenes with Keira. So I want more of that, really. I’m kind of fascinated by [Sam and Helen], and I like how they are in each other’s company, and I find them entertaining. I feel very fond of them,” Whishaw stated.

Series creator Joe Barton has also provided some clues about the direction of the second season. Barton is currently writing the first episode and has indicated a desire to delve deeper into the characters’ backstories. He mentioned that flashbacks of young Helen and her family, which did not make the final cut of the first season, could be explored further. “We’re still early in the process… 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,” Barton said.

The second season of ‘Black Doves’ has been confirmed by Netflix, with most of the main cast, including Whishaw, Knightley, and Sarah Lancashire, expected to return. Barton also hinted at expanding the scope of the series and introducing more challenges for the characters, which could include more interactions with other characters like Eleanor and Williams.