‘Netflix fans compare my number 1 thriller to Slow Horses – but it’s risky’

Comparison is the thief of joy, some people say.

As TV obsessives, we can’t help but draw parallels between shows in the same genre. House of the Dragon versus The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Succession versus Industry. It’s inevitable, even when the two series in question are actually nothing alike.

So it should come as no surprise that Black Doves – the fantastic thriller about spies and assassins that soared to Netflix number 1 following the release of season 2 – would be uttered in the same sentence as Jack Lowden’s critically acclaimed Slow Horses.

‘Slow Horses is an obvious tonal comp. I always think it can be a double-edged sword. It’s such a loved show, Slow Horses, and it’s been around for a long time and it comes back every year,’ Joe Barton, the creator of Black Doves starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, told Metro.

‘You can sometimes run the risk if you’re getting compared to something that’s much loved, of people being like, “It’s not as good,” but it’s nice when people like them both. I feel the big difference is Slow Horses is basically set in the real world, whereas we’re not essentially. They do things that we wouldn’t do, and we do things that they wouldn’t do.’

Whereas Slow Horses follows disgraced MI5 agents in the Slough House reject department run by Sir Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb, Black Doves follows a fictional spies-for-hire organisation. The name of the series came from the Black Dove pub in Brighton, which Joe used to visit regularly.

Coming up with a TV show that feels fresh and unique is a tall order, especially nowadays when we seem to have gripping thrillers coming out of our ears. Joe adopted a simple approach when creating Black Doves, one that’s clearly worked wonders.

‘Would I enjoy watching this? That’s essentially all you can do, is write something that would entertain you,’ he explained.

Joe’s story sings on the screen, as in season two, Keira’s spy Helen Webb is still feeding information to the Black Doves, this time as the wife of the Prime Minister with direct access to No 10 Downing Street. 

Despite becoming one of the most famous women in the country, Helen’s best friend is still Sam, a loyal man played by Ben Whishaw, who happens to be a cut-throat assassin.

‘I feel very lucky to get to work with actors of that calibre. If Keira and Ben didn’t have chemistry, the show would be in trouble. Luckily they’re amazing together. Their dynamic is so interesting and beautiful to me,’ the Giri/Haji screenwriter said.

‘That was at the heart of the first series. I think whatever else we do, with the action sequences and all the other amazing characters, it’s ultimately all about those two.’

Joe emphasised the importance of having the story of Black Doves centre around the platonic friendship between a gay man and a straight woman, who have an ‘amazing relationship’.

‘That was really interesting to play with. They’re just two people that love each other platonically. I think that platonic love is such an important, interesting thing to explore,’ he stated.

‘The idea of just mates, and they would die for each other. In your life the most important relationships you have are often with your friends, and so it was really fun to explore that.’

Netflix demonstrated their faith in Black Doves early on, renewing it for a second season before the first was out. The second ends on a tense cliffhanger, including a pivotal confrontation between Helen and her husband, Wallace (Andrew Buchan).

So will Black Doves be back for season three? I certain hope so… and while it hasn’t been greenlit yet, Joe is already working on ideas for the next outing.

‘We’re in a writers’ room now. It’s not officially greenlit, but we’re very hopeful. So fingers crossed,’ he told us. ‘We’re definitely working on one, and there’s a lot of support from Netflix.’

If the rapturous reviews of season two are anything to go by, I’d be shocked if news of a renewal didn’t come soon.

‘Even better than the first series and prob one of the best series I’ve watched in a long time. Loved it,’ said Rotten Tomatoes user Claire.

‘For once I completely agree with the critics. This season was even better than the first season. It was an absolute hoot from start to finish! I highly recommend this show,’ Paul added.

‘Great season. Binged it in a day. Hoping for Season 3,’ Dylan also said. Me too Dylan, me too.

Black Doves seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix.