5 details from Netflix’s Black Doves that will change the way you watch the show.

As the year draws to an end, the rush of new Christmas movies and TV shows has been abundant. And every year, the collection of content within the Christmas-action genre just continues to grow. From the OG Die-Hard to 2022's Violent Night and even 2024's new Christmas movie, Carry On, the list goes on and on. 

Netflix's new show Black Doves, starring Kiera Knightley and Ben Whishaw is another perfect example of how, deep down, we are all collectively obsessed with watching violence and gore during the most wholesome time of the year. 

Already renewed for season two, the show has had massive success since it came out and fans are grasping for more details. For those who have already watched the entire show, here are five things that will absolutely change the way you watch Black Doves. 

Watch the trailer for Black Doves. Article continues after video. 

The chilling true story behind Black Doves.

You might be surprised to know that Black Doves is loosely based on true events. 

Black Doves tells the story of Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), who is the wife of politician Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan), a mother, and a professional spy. For 10 years, Helen has been communicating her husband's political secrets to a group known as the Black Doves.

However, when Helen's secret lover is found dead, her old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) returns to help keep her safe. 

The show's creator Joe Barton recently revealed that Helen's double life was actually inspired by the 'spy cops' scandal in the UK in 2010, which saw undercover police officers infiltrate political groups by forming intimate relationships with members on the inside.

"I had been reading as well about those spy cops, those guys, and they infiltrated that environmental group and had ended up having children with them," Barton said. "I mean, a really horrific story, much darker than this."

"But I was like, OK, that idea, that duplicitousness of having a pretend marriage lasting years and years and years and then it's disappeared. That was really part of, I think, the inspiration for it as well." 

Kiera Knightley plays Helen Webb, a professional spy. Image: Netflix.

Ben Whishaw is Paddington Bear.

If you thought the character of Sam in Black Doves had a familiar voice but couldn't quite put your finger on it… you would be right. 

The actor who plays Sam, Ben Whishaw, is also the voice actor for the most famous bear in the world: Paddington.

Whishaw's two releases of December 2025 will be Black Doves and Paddington in Peru. Talk about range. It's no easy feat going from a cold-blooded assassin to the world's most beloved fictional bear.

During the Black Doves press tour, Paddington has actually come up several times in conversation. When asked which of his previous characters would make the worst spy in an interview with Hit Radio, Whishaw gave a shoutout to his furry friend.

"Paddington would be pretty hopeless. He'd be rather conspicuous," he laughed.

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The theme of grief in Black Doves was inspired by a letter in The Guardian.

If you've watched the show, you'll know that love and grief are dominant themes throughout the story. The catalyst for the entire story is the moment when Helen is forced to grieve her lover after he is killed.

And the concept of grieving in secret was one that was actually inspired by a letter from The Guardian.

"One of the things that kicked off the idea was reading about this woman who had written a letter to The Guardian. She was talking about how her partner had recently died and they'd been together for years, and she loved him, but the twist was their relationship was an affair," Barton told The Hollywood Reporter.

"He was married to someone else. She was having to grieve in secret, which I thought was really fascinating and tragic, and this really interesting, human story."

Who is the mystery woman that appears at the end?

In the final episode of the season, an unknown woman sits with Reed (Sarah Lancashire), a high-ranking member of the Black Doves. 

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Barton solved the mystery for us by revealing the mystery woman is actually Helen and Wallace's nanny, and was deliberately included to imply that Reed was always keeping tabs on Helen's family. 

Who is the mystery woman? Image: Netflix. 

"It's quite subtle. It's actually [Wallace and Helen's] nanny. There is a character, if you go back and watch, she pops up throughout," he said. 

"Marie. Exactly. She's the one that's sitting there. So the idea is Reed has got a spy in Helen's house. But there's something ominous because with Reed, you never know entirely if you can trust her either. So she's got machinations."

What does Helen's final glance mean?  

In the final moments of the Black Doves season one finale, Helen is seen eating dinner with her family. All is well at Christmas time. 

However, as Helen lights the Christmas pudding, she gives one final look to the camera. And it is unclear what it all means. 

What does Helen's final look mean? Image: Netflix. 

Barton, once again, has cleared the air and clarified that, while he wanted a sentimental ending to a Christmas show, the look is an indication that Helen is still a woman living two lives. Despite the somewhat happy ending, that ruthless side of her is remains.

"That just means there's still a duplicitousness about her. It's to acknowledge that she is having Christmas dinner with her family and it's a very happy family, but don't forget that she's still this other person and the two sides of her haven't gone away," he said.

Looking for your next binge-watch? Check out our guide to the best weekly releases.

Feature image: Netflix.