The Black Doves cast  features Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, Sarah Lancashire as Reed and Ben Whishaw as Sam. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Joe Barton’s Netflix series. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Black Doves centers on a female spy. When Helen Webb learns about her lover’s death, she protects her marriage to a prominent politician. The narrative follows the focal antihero as she strategizes against enemies and acquaintances with a longtime associate. Here’s every actor and character in Black Doves.

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Black Doves Cast: Keira Knightley as Helen Webb

Character Profile: An English spy. She learns about her lover’s death while married to the Secretary of State for Defence. Helen investigates a political conspiracy with a trusted ally.

Knightley’s Resume: Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Franchise (2003-), Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Cecilia Tallis in Atonement (2007), Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game (2014), Loretta McLaughlin in Boston Strangler (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘A Man on the Inside’

Black Doves Cast: Sarah Lancashire as Reed

Character Profile: Helen’s boss. She runs an organization full of international spies. Reed values the currency of information.

Lancashire’s Resume: Yvonne Kolakowski in Clocking Off (2000), Coral Atkins in Seeing Red (2000), Caroline in Last Tango in Halifax (2012-), Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley (2014-), Liz in Yesterday (2019)

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Black Doves Cast: Ben Whishaw as Sam

Character Profile:  Helen’s gay friend. He is a “triggerman” and the son of legendary spy. Sam protects Helen while developing a romantic relationship.

Whishaw’s Resume: Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), Q in the James Bond Movie Franchise (2012-), Limping Man in The Lobster (2015), Michael Banks in Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Martin in Passages (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Perfect Couple’

Black Doves Cast: Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb

Character Profile: Helen’s husband. He is the Secretary of State for Defence. Wallace worries about his marriage while navigating a political conspiracy.

Buchan’s Resume: William Garrow in Garrow’s Law (2009-11), Mark Latimer in Broadchurch (2013-17), John Paul Getty II in All the Money in the World (2017), Franklin Clarke in The ABC Murders (2018), Felim Bichan in Industry (2020-22)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Accident’

Black Doves Cast: Omari Douglas as Michael

Character Profile: Sam’s boyfriend. He is an abstract artist. Michael worries about his safety when assassins infiltrate his home.

Douglas’ Resume: Show Girl Nora in Wise Children (2019), Roscoe Babatunde in It’s a Sin (2021), Holland Fitz-Henry in I Hate Suzie (2022), Mona in Rye Lane (2023), JB in A Little Life (2023)

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Black Doves Cast: Kathryn Hunter as Lenny Lines

Character Profile: Sam’s associate. She runs a criminal organization. Lenny’s son inadvertently causes major stress for Helen.

Hunter’s Resume: Mrs. Arabella Figg in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Witches/Old Man in The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), Swiney in Poor Things (2023), Solange in The Front Room (2024), Teresa Cicero in Megalopolis (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Bodkin’

The Black Doves cast also includes:

• Andrew Koji as Jason Davies
• Sam Troughton as Stephen Yarrick
• Ella Lily Hyland as Williams
• Gabrielle Creevy as Eleanor
• Isabella Wei as Kai-Ming
• Charlotte Rice-Foley as Jacqueline Webb
• Taylor Sullivan as Oliver Webb
• Molly Chesworth as Marie
• Ken Nwosu as Bill
• Agnes O’Casey as Dani
• Finn Bennett as Cole Atwood
• Tai Yin Chan as Wu Lin
• Dan Li as Chang Hao
• Luther Ford as Hector Newman
• Ebony Francis-Peddie as Ruby
• Callum Coates as Thomas
• Tracey Ullman as Alex
• Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Zach
• Paapa Essiedu as Elmore Fitch

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.