The Black Doves season 2 release date is Thursday 5 November, Bonfire Night, with all six episodes on Netflix at once from 8 am UK time. Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are back, and Neve Campbell and Ambika Mod are among seven new faces.
From 8 am UK time, all six episodes
Season 1 arrived on 5 December 2024
When is Black Doves season 2 coming out?
Black Doves season 2 is coming out on Netflix on Thursday 5 November 2026, and all six episodes go up at the same time, so you can watch the whole series the day it lands.
Netflix confirmed the date on Tudum, and Variety reported that all six hour-long episodes arrive together. The date was first shared at Netflix’s UK showcase at the Edinburgh TV Festival on 26 August, What’s on Netflix reported.
It means the show returns on Bonfire Night, almost two years after season 1, which went up on 5 December 2024 and was set around Christmas in London.
What time is Black Doves season 2 on Netflix?
Black Doves season 2 should be on Netflix from 8 am UK time on Thursday 5 November. Netflix releases its original series at midnight Pacific time, which is 8 am in the UK.
That release time comes from the Netflix Media Centre, as reported by PA. Netflix’s own Black Doves page gives the date but not a time.
How many episodes are in Black Doves season 2?
There are six episodes in Black Doves season 2, each around an hour long, the same number as season 1.
Julian Farino and Kieron Hawkes direct the new series, which Joe Barton created and wrote, according to Netflix.
Who is in the Black Doves season 2 cast?
Keira Knightley returns as Helen Webb and Ben Whishaw as Sam Young in the Black Doves season 2 cast, with Sarah Lancashire back as Mrs Reed. Seven actors join, including Neve Campbell, Ambika Mod and Sam Riley.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Keira Knightley | Helen Webb |
| Ben Whishaw | Sam Young |
| Sarah Lancashire | Mrs Reed |
| Andrew Buchan | Wallace Webb |
| Kathryn Hunter | Lenny Lines |
| Ella Lily Hyland | Williams |
| Gabrielle Creevy | Eleanor |
| Agnes O’Casey | Dani |
| Molly Chesworth | Marie |
| Ambika ModNew | LailaA Black Doves agent sent to help Helen |
| Babou CeesayNew | Mr ContehA Black Doves executive |
| Sam RileyNew | PatrickAn emissary offering Sam a lifeline |
| Neve CampbellNew | Cecile Mason |
| Sylvia HoeksNew | Katia Chernov |
| Goran KosticNew | Alexi Chernov |
| Samuel BarnettNew | Jerry |
The cast and character names are from Netflix’s Tudum.
Is Sarah Lancashire in Black Doves season 2?
Yes. Sarah Lancashire is back in Black Doves season 2 as Mrs Reed, Helen’s handler in the Black Doves, according to Netflix’s cast list.
Her character is at the centre of the new story. Mrs Reed is caught up in a plot to undermine her position in the organisation, and that is what sends Helen back to Sam, according to the official logline published by Variety.
What is Black Doves season 2 about?
Black Doves season 2 follows Helen as she keeps passing her country’s secrets to the Black Doves, while her husband Wallace prepares to become Prime Minister and the danger to her double life grows.
With Mrs Reed under threat, Helen turns to Sam again. He has fallen a long way since season 1, now “reduced to lonely drinks in Soho bars and low-rate hits”, in the words of the official logline published by Variety.
Their search takes them back to old friends and old enemies. Netflix’s own summary promises that “loyalties are weaponized, trust is shattered”.
“I couldn’t be more excited to delve back into the world of our murderous little spy family.”
Joe Barton, creator and writer, speaking to Netflix
Is there a trailer for Black Doves season 2?
Yes. Netflix released the first Black Doves season 2 trailer in September, and it is on Netflix’s Tudum page for the series.
Variety reported the first trailer on 24 September.
Do you need to watch Black Doves season 1 first?
Yes, it helps. Black Doves season 2 picks up the story of Helen, Sam and Mrs Reed from season 1, and all six episodes of the first series are still on Netflix.
Netflix was confident enough to renew the show for a second series before the first one had even premiered, TechRadar reported in October 2024.
“To say we are overexcited about welcoming the Black Doves team back to Netflix would be an understatement,” said Anne Mensah, Netflix’s vice president of content in the UK, according to Tudum.
Where was Black Doves filmed?
Black Doves season 1 was filmed at more than 100 locations around London, mostly around Westminster and the South Bank, according to Netflix.
Somerset House, Liberty London and the National Theatre all appear, and Helen’s family home was a house in Crystal Palace, in south London, Tudum reported. Netflix has not published a location list for season 2 yet.