Ben Whishaw to Star Alongside Keira Knightley in Netflix Spy Thriller "Black Doves"

Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire are set to star alongside Keira Knightley in Netflix’s spy series “Black Doves,”.

More details about the series, which was written and created by “The Lazarus Project” showrunner Joe Barton, have also emerged.

A story of friendship and sacrifice, “Black Doves” is set during Christmastime in London. It revolves around Helen Webb (Knightley), a politician’s wife, doting mother — and professional spy. 

For years, Helen has been passing on her husband’s secrets to the Black Doves, the shadowy organization for whom she works. But when her lover Jason is assassinated, Helen’s life is turned upside down and only her old friend Sam Young (Whishaw) can keep her safe.

Helen and Sam set out to discover who killed Jason and why. But Sam, a suave, champagne-drinking assassin, also has problems of his own. Out of the game, since his last job went wrong, he soon realizes his past is coming back to haunt him.

The logline reads: “Together, they set off on a mission that will lead them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy. One that links the murky underworld of London to a looming geopolitical crisis — and leads them to question the cost of the moral choices they’ve made.”

Lancashire will play Helen’s enigmatic spymaster Reed.

Joining Knightley and Whishaw in the six-part series, which began shooting in London last week, are Andrew Buchan, Omari Douglas, Andrew Koji, Kathryn Hunter, Sam Troughton, Ella Lily Hyland, Adam Silver, Ken Nwosu, and Gabrielle Creevy.

“Black Doves” is produced by Joe Barton’s Noisy Bear and Elizabeth Murdoch-founded Sister for Netflix. 

Barton exec produces for Noisy Bear alongside Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry for Sister, and Keira Knightley. The series is directed by Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning. Harry Munday is producing.