Netflix’s spy thriller Black Doves wouldn’t be half the show it is without its excellent cast, and season 2 wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting without a few major newcomers. While Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw lead the cast of Black Doves, they’re hardly the only stars in the show. A wide range of Oscar, Emmy, and Olivier nominees and winners from every corner of the United Kingdom came together, and it’s largely because of that ensemble cast that reviews for Black Doves have been so positive.
The cast of Black Doves has also only grown more important in season 2. As the show starts to expand the list of members of the Black Doves and the reach of the private espionage organization, as well as introduce a new shadowy organization named Kestrel, the world of the show is getting bigger by the minute. From new handlers to new members of the “psychotic girl gang” of assassins, the cast of Black Doves is hugely important.
The cast of the show could also easily influence how Black Doves season 3, if it is renewed, plays out. On top of it all, Black Doves is renowned for its complicated plots filled with intrigue, red herrings, mysteries, and plenty of complicated figures. Keeping track of all the characters, how they know one another, and who’s who is supremely important to understanding one of the best shows on Netflix.
Keira Knightley as Helen Webb
Date Of Birth: March 26, 1985
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Actor: Keira Knightley was born in Teddington, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom. Knightley had her breakthrough role in 2002 with Bend It Like Beckham, where she played Jules. Prior to that, Knightley appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as Sabé, the body double of Natalie Portman’s Queen Padmé Amidala. Since then, Knightley has gained international fame for both dramas like Pride & Prejudice and The Imitation Game – both of which earned her Oscar nominations – and major franchises like Pirates of the Carribean.
Keira Knightley’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Character: In Black Doves, Keira Knightley plays Helen Webb, a secret agent for the Black Doves. Helen is married to politician Wallace, and she steals secrets from him to give to her employers. After her lover, Jason Davies, is killed in season 1, Helen goes on a mission to find revenge for him. In season 2, Helen must track down her handler, Reed, who has been kidnapped and uncover a plot to destroy the Black Doves.
Ben Whishaw as Sam Young
Date Of Birth: October 14, 1980
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Actor: Ben Whishaw was born in Clifton, Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom. Whishaw’s breakthrough role was in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer in 2006, though he also gained fame in 2004 for a production of Hamlet. Since then, Whishaw has become one of the biggest actors in Britain. He joined several major franchises like Daniel Craig’s James Bond films, where he played Q, and he also voiced the eponymous bear in the Paddington films. Whishaw also won a Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for 2018’s A Very English Scandal.
Ben Whishaw’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: In Black Doves, Ben Whishaw plays Sam Young, an assassin and old friend of Helen’s. Sam’s father was also an assassin, and his first contract forced him to kill his own dad. Over the years, Sam has grown increasingly burdened by the guilt of the people he has slain. In season 1, Sam returned to England at Helen’s behest to find Jason’s killer. In season 2, Sam is approached by a shadowy organization that demands he start killing Black Doves operatives.
Sarah Lancashire as Reed
Date Of Birth: October 10, 1964
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Actor: Sarah Lancashire was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom. Lancashire’s breakthrough role was in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, where she played Raquel Wolstenhulme from 1991 to 1996 and for an episode in 2000. Since then, Lancashire has had an exceptionally successful career in British television, and she’s won three BAFTA awards since 2014, one for Last Tango in Halifax and two for Happy Valley.
Sarah Lancashire’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: In Black Doves, Sarah Lancashire plays Reed, a high-ranking leader of the Black Doves and Helen’s personal handler. Reed has a long history as a former Black Dove operative, and her past comes back to haunt her in more ways than one in season 2. In her professional capacity, Reed is incredibly efficient and exceedingly ruthless. She likes to know everything about everyone, Helen included, and does not hesitate to eliminate liabilities and manipulate anyone she needs to. In a flashback, a younger version of Reed is played by Lauren Moakes.
Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb
Date Of Birth: February 19, 1979
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Actor: Andrew Buchan was born in Stockport, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom. Buchan’s first major role was in Garrow’s Law, where he played William Garrow for three seasons. Since then, Buchan has mostly acted in British television shows and movies like Broadchurch. Buchan has also had an accomplished career as a voice actor in games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine and the Fable franchise.
Andrew Buchan’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: In Black Doves, Andrew Buchan plays Wallace Webb, the former Conservative minister of state for Defense, current Prime Minister of England, and Helen’s husband. After the former Prime Minister’s involvement in Ambassador Chen’s death was revealed, Wallace earned a spot at 10 Downing Street. Though he’s unaware Helen is a spy, by the time of season 2, Wallace begins drifting away from his wife, believing she’s hiding an affair from him.
Ella Lily Hyland as Fionnualla Williams
Date Of Birth: 1998
Actor: Ella Lily Hyland was raised in Carlow, Ireland. Hyland had her breakthrough role in 2023, when she played Justine Pearce in Fifteen-Love. Though her acting career only began in earnest recently, Hyland has had a few notable roles in British television shows like A Thousand Blows and short films. Before she was an actor, Hyland was an accomplished pole vaulter (via The Standard).
Ella Lily Hyland’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania
Character: In Black Doves, Ella Lily Hyland plays Fionnualla Williams, a professional assassin and the best friend of Eleanor Davies. Though she initially wanted to kill Sam Young, Williams would become one of his closest friends and allies by the time of season 2. Williams also develops romantic feelings for Eleanor, though it takes some pushing from Sam for her to voice her feelings.
Gabrielle Creevy as Eleanor Davies
Date of Birth: 1996
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Actor: Gabrielle Creevy was born in Port Talbot, Wales, United Kingdom. Creevy’s breakthrough role came in 2018, when she began playing Bethan Gwyndaff in In My Skin. Since then, Creevy has appeared in a number of British television shows. Creevy’s role in In My Skin reportedly drew the attention of Black Doves showrunner Joe Barton, which ultimately got her cast in the series (via Netflix).
Gabrielle Creevy’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: In Black Doves, Gabrielle Creevy plays Eleanor Davies, another professional assassin and the best friend of Fionnualla Williams. Like Williams, Eleanor has a carefree attitude and a dark sense of humor. Unlike Williams, Eleanor treats Sam as a colleague rather than a friend, though she still works with him. Eleanor initially doesn’t realize that Eleanor has feelings for her.
Sylvia Hoeks as Katia Chernov
Date of Birth: June 1, 1983
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Actor: Sylvia Hoeks was born in Maarheeze, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Hoeks had her breakthrough role in 2017, when she played Luv in Blade Runner 2049. Prior to that, Hoeks had a few major roles in Dutch films like De Storm and Tirza. Afterward 2017, Hoeks made a name for herself in movies like The Girl in the Spider’s Web and shows like See.
Sylvia Hoeks’ Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: Sylvia Hoeks plays Katia Chernov in Black Doves season 2. Katia is the wife of a Russian diplomat who wants to be part of Wallace’s peace summit. After her husband is killed, Katia petitions Wallace to allow her to speak on his behalf at the summit.
Andrew Koji As Jason Davies
Date of Birth: November 10, 1987
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Actor: Andrew Koji was born in Epsom, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. Koji’s biggest role to date was as Ah Sahm in Warrior from 2019 to 2023. Koji is a trained martial artist, and he has put his fighting skills to use in a number of action movies, including Snake Eyes, Bullet Train, and Boy Kills World. Most recently, Koji starred as Ken in 2026’s Street Fighter movie based on the video game series of the same name.
Andrew Koji’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Character: In Black Doves, Andrew Koji plays Jason Davies, Helen’s secret lover who is mysteriously killed. Jason accidentally met Helen, but over the years of their affair, he grew to be the one person she felt comfortable being herself around. After Jason’s death, Helen goes on a rogue revenge mission. As season 1 revealed, Jason was secretly an MI5 agent investigating Helen, though he kept her secret for her.
Kathryn Hunter As Lenny Lines
Date Of Birth: April 9, 1957
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Actor: Kathryn Hunter was born in New York City, New York. Hunter’s breakthrough role was as Arabella Figg in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hunter also made quite a name for herself in theater, where she earned three Olivier Awards and both acted and directed at the Shakespeare Globe Theater. Hunter has also had a recent resurgence in popularity with shows like Andor, where she played Eedy Karn, and Grotesquerie, where she played Maisie Montgomery, as well as movies like Poor Things, where she played Swiney.
Kathryn Hunter’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Character: In Black Doves, Kathryn Hunter plays Lenny Lines, a criminal fixer in London. Lenny has a long history with Sam Young, as he failed to complete a contract on the Newman brothers early on in his career. By the time of Black Doves season 2, Lenny has mostly forgiven Sam and helps him gather information about his secretive employer.
Black Doves Supporting Cast & Characters
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Omari Douglas as Michael: Omari Douglas plays Michael in Black Doves. Michael knew Sam before he met Helen, and the two men dated rather seriously. Douglas is known for I Hate Suzie and It’s a Sin.
Paapa Essiedu as Elmore Fitch: Paapa Essiedu plays Elmore Fitch in Black Doves. Elmore is an ex-member of the British Special Air Service and a reluctant assassin. Essiedu is known for I May Destroy You and The Outrun.
Babou Ceesay as Mr. Conteh: Babou Ceesay plays Mr. Conteh in Black Doves season 2. Conteh is a secretive executive of the Black Doves organization, and he investigates Reed’s connections to the mysterious organization hunting them. Ceesay is known for Alien: Earth and The Best of Enemies.
Ambika Mod as Laila: Ambika Mod plays Laila in Black Doves season 2. Laila is another assassin hired by the Black Doves organization, one who helps Helen find Reed and whom Sam dubs part of the “psychotic girl gang.” Mod is known for One Day and This Is Going To Hurt.
Neve Campbell as Cecile: Neve Campbell plays Cecile in Black Doves season 2. Cecile is a delegate from the United States who helps Wallace plan his peace summit. Campbell is best known for her long-running role in the Scream franchise of horror movies.
Sam Riley as Patrick: Sam Riley plays Patrick in Black Doves season 2. Patrick represents a shadowy organization, later revealed to be Kestrel, and acts as Sam’s handler. Riley is known for movies like Maleficent and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Black Doves
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