As a secret agent embroiled in a high-stakes political conspiracy, Keira Knightley's character in Black Doves is no stranger to life on the run. Fresh images from the set of the Netflix thriller's second series confirm that this remains very much the case for Helen Webb.
London Streets Become a Spy's Playground
The actress, 40, was captured sprinting through the streets of London while filming scenes for the upcoming season. Dressed in character as the undercover operative, Knightley wore a distinctive tweed baseball cap, a practical brown coat, and heeled boots during the intense chase sequence. Her expression was one of sheer determination as she fled from an unseen pursuer.
Once the cameras stopped rolling, the mood lightened considerably, with Knightley seen sharing a smile with co-star Ben Whishaw. The bespoke spy wardrobe was meticulously crafted by costume designer Ian Fulcher, who has openly discussed drawing inspiration from the glamorous 'golden age of spy dramas'. His concept boards famously feature icons like Catherine Deneuve and Grace Kelly, blending classic elegance with modern espionage.
A Smash Hit Returns with Higher Stakes
The first season of Black Doves rapidly became one of Netflix's most buzzed-about UK productions, celebrated for its sleek cinematography, intricate plot twists, and powerful performances from its lead cast. Upon its release in December 2024, the series, which also stars Sarah Lancashire of Happy Valley fame, amassed an impressive 60 million views within its first week.
Knightley returns as Helen Webb, a Conservative politician's wife who masterfully leads a dangerous double life as a secret agent. The new season promises to raise the stakes exponentially, with fresh threats looming and long-buried secrets threatening to surface, plunging Webb into even deeper peril.
Knightley's Real-Life Mission: Training Her Husband's Palate
Away from the fictional world of espionage, Keira Knightley recently disclosed a humorous domestic challenge from her early relationship with husband James Righton. In a rare personal revelation on the Waitrose podcast Dish, the actress described the musician's initially 'bizarre' eating habits.
The couple, who married in 2013 in the South of France and typically guard their privacy, offered a charming glimpse into their life. Knightley recalled that Righton's diet was once limited to 'cheese on toast', and he showed little interest in dining out or trying new cuisines. 'I was like, "This is not going to work", she admitted.
Determined to broaden his culinary horizons, Knightley enlisted the help of a close friend, embarking on a mission to 'train' him. 'We basically trained him,' she explained. 'We took him out to restaurants and he wouldn't try anything. He was like a child. He used to shut his eyes, and we'd be like, "Try it, try it!"' The playful intervention eventually succeeded, with Righton conceding that the new foods were, in fact, 'nice'.
