Black Doves series 2 release date and how to watch on Netflix in the UK

Black Doves returns to Netflix on Thursday 5 November 2026, almost two years after the first series arrived in December 2024.

The British spy thriller stars Keira Knightley as Helen and Ben Whishaw as Sam.

As with the first series, it is a Netflix original, so a Netflix subscription is all UK viewers need to watch.

Watch the trailer:

What is Black Doves series 2 about

The second series of Black Doves follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley) as she continues secretly passing government information to the Black Doves, while her husband Wallace (Andrew Buchan) prepares to become Prime Minister. His political rise gives Helen access to increasingly sensitive information, but also places her in a more dangerous position.

Meanwhile, Helen's handler Mrs Reed (Sarah Lancashire) becomes the target of a conspiracy within the organisation, threatening her authority and leaving Helen without one of her most trusted allies. The situation reunites Helen with her old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw), a former high-level assassin whose career has deteriorated into poorly paid assignments and personal difficulties.

As Helen and Sam investigate the threat against Mrs Reed, they uncover connections to people and events from their past. Their search draws them deeper into the organisation's internal conflicts, where personal loyalties become increasingly difficult to maintain.

Several new characters join the story, including Laila (Ambika Mod), a Black Doves operative assigned to assist Helen, Mr Conteh (Babou Ceesay), a senior figure within the organisation, and Patrick (Sam Riley), a mysterious man who offers Sam a possible way out of his difficulties. Neve Campbell also joins the cast as Cecile Mason.

The six-part series continues to combine political intrigue, espionage, dark humour and the friendship between Helen and Sam, while exploring the personal consequences of their dangerous work.

How to watch Black Doves series 2 in the UK

Black Doves series 2 premieres exclusively on Netflix on Thursday 5 November 2026. UK viewers can stream the new episodes with an active Netflix subscription, including the ad-supported plan.

The six-part series is expected to be available from 8am UK time, following Netflix's usual release schedule for original programmes. All episodes are expected to arrive together, allowing viewers to watch the series at their own pace.

The first series is also available on Netflix for anyone wanting to catch up before the new episodes arrive.