Web Series Review: Black Doves

I recently binged Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley and Andrew Scott, shortly after its release. While it had moments of intrigue and showcased strong performances from its leads, I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the series.

The show attempts a Guy Ritchie-esque vibe, with flashes of dark humor and stylistic flair that might remind viewers of films like The Gentlemen. However, it falls short of delivering the sharpness and narrative precision those works are known for.

One of its strengths is the dry, dark humor—a hallmark of British storytelling—that provides occasional levity. But the comedic component alone isn’t enough to save it. The storyline suffers from a chaotic and messy delivery, which makes it hard to follow. This isn’t the kind of complexity that challenges or engages the viewer; instead, it feels like an unstructured attempt to cram too much into one series.

The show also struggles with an overcrowded cast. With too many characters in play, the narrative becomes muddled, and the focus is spread too thin to allow for meaningful development. While Keira Knightley and Andrew Scott deliver commendable performances, their talents are undermined by the disorganized storytelling and lackluster writing.

What could have elevated the series is a stronger sense of intrigue, but this element is poorly executed, leaving much of the potential untapped. It seems the creators may have leaned into the chaos intentionally, perhaps to give the series an edgy or comedic twist, but this approach misses the mark.

In the end, Black Doves isn’t a bad show, but it’s far from great. Its fundamental flaws in narrative structure and character balance make it hard to recommend. While it has some redeeming qualities, I wouldn’t opt for a second season as the issues seem too deeply rooted to resolve without significant changes.