❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Black Doves adds One Day and Scream stars to cast as season 2 production begins

"Downing Street will never be the same again…" teased creator and writer Joe Barton.

Helen fires a gun in a scene from Black Doves

Netflix

Published: Tuesday, 18 November 2025 at 4:20 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

Calling all Black Doves fans: season 2 of Joe Barton's hit Netflix spy thriller has officially gone into production – and a number of new names have also been added to the cast.

Ad

Ambika Mod (One Day) will be joining returnees Keira Knightley (Helen), Ben Whishaw (Sam) and Sarah Lancashire (Mrs Reed) as Laila, "an acerbic and anarchic Black Doves agent who is sent to help Helen on a mission".

Alongside Mod, you can also expect to see Babou Ceesay (Alien: Earth) as Mr Conteh, "a Black Doves executive with suspicious motivations," Sam Riley (Firebrand) as Patrick, "an emissary from a mysterious organisation, who offers Sam a lifeline," while Scream's Neve Campbell is playing a character called Cecile Mason, whose role has yet to be revealed.

Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson in episode 201 of The Lincoln Lawyer.

Neve Campbell is joining the cast of Black Doves season 2. Lara Solanki/Netflix

Additional newcomers include Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049), Goran Kostic (Canary Black and Ant-Man and the Wasp) and Samuel Barnett (Lee) – alongside returnees Andrew Buchan, Kathryn Hunter, Ella Lily Hyland, Gabrielle Creevy, Agnes O’Casey and Molly Chesworth.

"I couldn’t be more excited to delve back into the world of our murderous little spy family," said Barton. "To have so many of our amazing cast returning and also being able to add some of my absolute favourite actors into the mix is such a great joy. Downing Street will never be the same again…"

Executive Producers at Sister, Jane Featherstone and Chris Fry, praised the "brilliant new cast, who bring wit, danger and a few perfectly timed surprises," describing season 2 as "bigger, bolder – and just as delightfully unpredictable."

In the show's sophomore season, "Helen (Keira Knightley) is still betraying her nation’s secrets to the covert organisation she serves: the Black Doves".

"But after the misadventures of last Christmas, and with her husband Wallace (Andrew Buchan), preparing to become Prime Minister, she is walking a more treacherous line than ever," reads the logline.

Read more:

When Helen's handler, the enigmatic Mrs Reed (Sarah Lancashire), "is ensnared in a ruthless plot to undermine her position in the Black Doves, Helen is reunited with her best friend Sam (Ben Whishaw)," who is spending his days drinking alone in Soho bars.

"As they search for answers, loyalties are weaponised, trust is shattered, and the fight to protect the people they love could cost everything.

"With all the explosive wit of season 1, Helen and Sam’s mission leads them back to old friends and enemies, through the dark decisions and painful sacrifices of their pasts, and right to the heart of the Black Doves."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Black Doves streams on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

Add Black Doves to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...