Black Doves series 2: Everything we know about its return to Netflix, and series 1 ending explained
By Helen FearBlack Doves series 1 has landed on Netflix with much fanfare, and some of us have already binged all six episodes - so will there be a series 2?
The spy thriller introduces Keira Knightley's Helen Webb, a spy working for a shady organisation called the Black Doves. They sell secrets to the highest bidder, and Helen's role is to spy on her very own husband - the Conservative Minister of State for Defence (Andrew Buchan).
In series 1, Helen was devastated to discover her lover Jason had been assassinated. But, of course, she couldn't show it. She vowed to get vengeance with the help of her friend and assassin Sam...
The pair subsequently embarked on a blood-thirsty journey for answers. With plenty of blood, laughs, and secrets split on the way (read our review here). But will there be a series 2 of Black Doves? And what happened at the end of series 1? Here's our Black Doves ending explained, and everything we know about series 2 so far.
***Warning: spoilers from Black Doves series 1 ahead***
Will there be a series 2 of Black Doves?
Netflix has already confirmed that Black Doves will return for a series 2. The streaming service made the announcement even before series 1 had aired in December 2024. It's a pretty confident move for Netflix.
They confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying: "A reminder that Black Doves comes to Netflix later this year - and it's already been renewed for a second season!"
One fan reacted: "Must have quite a bit of faith in the show if it's been renewed BEFORE it's even out yet. Looking forward to seeing Knightley in an upbeat scenario again."
Another added: "Great news! Spies, intrigue, amazing cast, brilliant writing, can’t wait to dive in!"
Black Doves series 1 ending explained
The closing minutes of Black Doves series 1 bordered on cheesy - quite a strange ending for a six-part series so full of violence. Helen invited assassin Sam over for Christmas lunch, even though her husband and children had never met him. Pretty sure my husband wouldn't have been so obliging...
However, the episode started with poor Sam tied up to a chair having been captured by the Clarks, a violent crime family operating in London - and across the world.
Meanwhile, Helen - having survived the assassination attempt by Reed's minion Dani - was in no mood for negotiation. Of course, Helen was in possession of the crucial recording which proved that the death of the Chinese Ambassador was actually just an unfortunate accident...
Who killed the Chinese Ambassador?
Trent Clark killed the Chinese Ambassador Chen by accident. In love with the Ambassador's daughter Kai-Ming, he had pushed him over in a scuffle which ended with the older man on the floor, having banged his head on the corner of a table.
After Helen tracked Trent down, he led her and assassin Williams to his "mob boss" mum (played deliciously by comedian Tracey Ullman in the impeccable cast). At that time, Alex Clark was holding Sam, Kai-Ming, and hitwoman Eleanor hostage.
Suffice to say, Chinese officials, the CIA, and British intelligence all arrived at the seemingly abandoned building at the same time. A huge shoot out resulted in many deaths outside.
Inside the building, Helen exchanged the recording which implicated Alex's son Trent, with the hostages. However, when she discovered that the Clarks were also behind the other three deaths, she saw red.
Black Doves ending explained: Who killed Jason?
Trent Clark murdered Jason. He killed journalist Phillip Bray, and MI5 agents Maggie and Jason to cover his tracks. All of them had seen the footage of him killing the Chinese Ambassador. He "wanted to prove himself" to his mum, and clean up his mess.
Sam subsequently killed Trent, Alex, and Alex's henchman in a bloody shoot out. He did it so it was all over for Helen, and she could move on. It was also a sacrificial act, to protect Helen from the consequences of killing them herself.
Who was Jason?
Unbeknownst to Helen Webb, Jason was an MI5 operative. His assignment? To find out if Helen was a spy.
However, having falled in love with Helen, he told his employers that she was NOT a spy - even though he knew she was. He saved her, at great risk to himself. Their love affair wasn't "just a play". Jason's relationship with Helen was real. And the fact that Reed shared that information with Helen proved she isn't quite the Ice Queen she seemed...
At the end of episode six, Helen made the decision not to find out more about Jason. Although Reed had passed on a file about his real identity, Helen chose to live in ignorance and keep his memory alive as he was to her during their relationship.
Ending explained: Did Helen leave Black Doves?
At the end of Black Doves series 1, it was clear that Helen would continue to work as a spy under Reed's orders. She would stay married to Wallace, ahead of his expected promotion to PM.
Reed told Helen that the PM would resign in the summer for "health reasons". She implied that Helen and the kids would end up living in 10 Downing Street. Now THAT would be an interesting start to Black Doves series 2!
Meanwhile, Sam left Michael, knowing that he'd never be safe so long as he was around. Instead, Sam agreed to work with Hector Newman. Hector was the little boy, now grown, who Sam saved when he was young.
Hector and Sam joined up to face the consequences of the Clark family massacre, which will inevitably come in Black Doves series 2.
What could happen in Black Doves series 2?
Alex Clark warned that "if something were to happen to me then the consequences would be bubonic in nature, total carnage for anyone involved". And, of course, something very much DID happen to her. Sam shot her dead before Helen could.
Series 2 will presumably deal with the aftermath of Alex Clark's death. After her death, her phone rang. When Sam answered it, a British voice said: "You have been watched and you'll be held accountable."
We also know that Wallace Webb is expected to become PM, something that would be explored in Black Doves series 2.
Meanwhile, we'd love to see more from Sam, as well as Helen's relationship with slippery Reed. Especially now we know that Reed has another spy within the Webb household - the nanny Marie. Could she even be Reed's daughter?
Watch this space for more news on Black Doves series 2, as and when we get it.
