Black Doves has a way of ruining other TV for a few days. Between Keira Knightley’s double-agent wife and Ben Whishaw’s soft-hearted hitman, the series packs a sharp spy plot, a surprisingly tender friendship, and plenty of dark humor into a single Netflix binge. With Season 2 now streaming, plenty of viewers will finish the new episodes faster than they planned and be left wondering what to watch next.
The good news is that the spy genre has plenty to offer. Whether you want more of Joe Barton’s writing, more of Whishaw, or just another stylish thriller about people who lie for a living, these five series have you covered. Some are glossy and action-packed, others are slow and heartbreaking, but each one shares something with Black Doves that will keep you hooked.
1. Giri/Haji
Platform: Netflix / BBC Two
If you want to see what Joe Barton did before Black Doves, start here. Giri/Haji is the creator’s earlier crime drama, and it has the same fondness for outsiders stranded in London. Takehiro Hira plays Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo detective who travels to Britain to find his missing brother, a fugitive tangled up with the Yakuza. If Kenzo fails, a gang war follows. Along the way he befriends a Scottish police officer (Kelly Macdonald) and a charismatic hustler (Will Sharpe), while his teenage daughter (Aoi Okuyama) causes trouble of her own.
Black Doves fans will recognize the DNA: a criminal underworld seen through the eyes of people who don’t belong, plus a streak of dark comedy that keeps the tension from curdling. The show is also far more formally adventurous. It switches aspect ratios, drops in animation, and stages a dance sequence you won’t forget. It takes its time, but the payoff is emotional, and it rewards viewers who stick with it. If Black Doves made you care about its characters as much as its plot, this is the one to pick.
2. The Night Agent
Platform: Netflix
Another Netflix hit, and the most purely fun entry on the list. Gabriel Basso stars as Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent whose life changes when he is pulled into a covert program known as the Night Agents. He teams up with cybersecurity expert Rose (Luciane Buchanan) to expose a plot that reaches the upper levels of American power.
Why will Black Doves fans like it? It’s built on the same appealing formula: a self-contained, high-stakes season, good-looking leads, and action that moves quickly. It’s lighter on moral complexity and heavier on adrenaline. Basso makes a believable, easygoing hero, and Hong Chau, Brittany Snow, Robert Patrick, and Stephen Moyer fill out a strong supporting cast. It isn’t reinventing the genre, but it executes it with confidence, which makes it ideal for a weeknight binge. The series is set to wrap with its fourth season, so you can commit without worrying about it dragging on.
3. The Night Manager
Platform: Prime Video / BBC One
Based on John le Carré’s novel, this is prestige spy television at its most polished. Tom Hiddleston plays Jonathan Pine, a former soldier turned hotel manager who is recruited by intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate the circle of arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).
The link to Black Doves is grief as fuel. Pine’s mission is personal: he’s avenging a woman he loved who died because of Roper’s empire. That’s the same emotional engine that drives Helen when her lover is killed. The series is all tailored suits, luxury locations, and slow, dangerous charm, and the cat-and-mouse duel between Hiddleston and Laurie is the main attraction. Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, and Tom Hollander add depth in every scene. It’s more elegant and more restrained than Black Doves, which suits anyone who enjoys the show’s glamorous side.
4. London Spy
Platform: BBC Two
Here’s the Ben Whishaw pick. In Black Doves, he’s the killer with a conscience. In London Spy, he’s an ordinary man who falls in love with a mysterious runner named Alex (Edward Holcroft), only to watch him vanish. Danny’s search for the truth drags him into a world of secrets and state-sponsored cover-ups, and he has no training for it.
The series is half romance, half paranoid thriller, and it shifts between the two with real skill. It’s moody and visually striking, with an atmosphere of grief that hangs over everything. It’s also heavier and more melancholy than Black Doves, so be prepared. If the Helen-and-Sam dynamic worked for you because Whishaw makes tenderness feel dangerous, you’ll want to see him carry a story alone. Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling bring serious gravity to the supporting roles.
5. The Day of the Jackal
Platform: Peacock / Sky Atlantic
For something sleek and propulsive, try this reimagining of the classic assassin tale. Eddie Redmayne plays the Jackal, a meticulous killer-for-hire who is always a step ahead. Lashana Lynch plays Bianca, an MI6 officer determined to catch him. Both are brilliant, both are ruthless, and neither is entirely the good guy.
That moral murkiness is the connection to Black Doves, where heroes and villains are often just people on different payrolls. The show also shares its pace: it jumps across Europe with stylish set pieces, gadgets and tradecraft worthy of a Bond film, and character backstory doled out in controlled bursts. Redmayne and Lynch are electric opposite each other, and the chase is the whole appeal. If you loved the high-gloss action in Black Doves, this delivers it with a colder edge.
FAQs
What is Black Doves about?
It’s a Netflix spy thriller starring Keira Knightley as Helen, an operative for a private intelligence firm who lives undercover as the wife of the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Defence. When her lover is murdered, she teams up with her friend Sam (Ben Whishaw), a retired assassin, to find out what happened.
Is Black Doves Season 2 available now?
Yes. Season 2 is streaming on Netflix.
Which show is the closest match to Black Doves?
It depends on what you liked most. For the same creator, try Giri/Haji, which Joe Barton wrote before Black Doves. For the Ben Whishaw connection and a mix of romance and espionage, London Spy is the best fit. For fast, polished action, go with The Night Agent or The Day of the Jackal.
Which shows on this list star Ben Whishaw?
London Spy. He plays Danny, an ordinary Londoner who gets drawn into a spy mystery after his partner disappears.
Where can I stream these shows?
Availability changes by region and over time, so check your local services before you start. At the time of writing, The Night Agent and Giri/Haji are on Netflix, The Night Manager is on Prime Video, and The Day of the Jackal is on Peacock. London Spy originally aired on BBC Two.
Which show is best for a quick binge?
The Night Agent. It’s easygoing, fast-moving, and built for back-to-back episodes. The Day of the Jackal is another good choice if you want momentum with a bit more edge.
Are any of these shows slow burns?
Giri/Haji and London Spy take a more patient approach. Both reward you with strong emotional payoffs, but they’re less breathless than Black Doves.
Is The Night Agent ending?
The series is set to conclude with its fourth season, so you can start it knowing there’s a planned finish.
Conclusion
Black Doves proves that a spy show can be thrilling, funny, and genuinely moving all at once. The five shows above each capture a different piece of that mix. Giri/Haji brings Joe Barton’s offbeat crime storytelling, The Night Agent offers popcorn-friendly action, The Night Manager delivers old-school elegance, London Spy leans into love and loss, and The Day of the Jackal is a slick game of cat and mouse.
Pick the one that matches the part of Black Doves you liked most, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed. And if you finish the whole list, you’ll probably be ready for another round of Helen and Sam by then.
Related Articles
