Black Doves Season 2 Gets Status & Timeline Update From Ben Whishaw, And It Replicates One “Terrifying” Season 1 Tactic
Ben Whishaw provides an update on Black Doves season 2's progress, which seems to echo a major part of season 1's production. The Netflix thriller, which premiered in December 2024 and was created by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji), follows a professional spy (Keira Knightley) who investigates her lover's assassination. Along with Knightley and Whishaw, the Black Doves cast includes Sarah Lancashire, Tracey Ullman, Ella Lily Hyland, Andrew Buchan, and Andrew Koji.
During an interview with Collider, Whishawrevealed that production on Black Doves season 2 remains quite a ways off, as work on the scripts has not yet begun. He stated that the writing process for a new season is still months away, leaving the timeline for production and release unclear. Check out his comments below:
It hasn't been written, so I actually can say nothing. I know nothing about it. That's boring, isn't it? You're not interested in that, but it’s the truth. It's not written. It's six months, or seven months away, or something.
Whishaw then shared that season 1 was filmed before scripts were complete, making for a scary production experience. He said:
No. Honestly, no. Because actually it wasn't very written when we did the first season. I was quite terrified because there were not really scripts. There were scripts, but this was particularly sailing close to the wire. So, somehow, it came together.
What This Means For Black Doves Season 2
Black Doves' Scripting Process Is Leading To Uncertainty
Without scripts in place, Black Doves remains in a holding pattern. Previously, Barton teased an update for season 2 and said he was in the writers' room. However, the lack of completed scripts suggests that the show is still in an early stage of consideration rather than active development. A delay in filming for Black Doves season 2 could impact the availability of the cast, as actors often commit to other projects when production stalls. Whishaw’s comments also raise questions about Black Doves' creative direction and how the team navigates without a completed script.
If writing continues and finishes within the coming months, season 2 can begin filming later this year.
Moreover, while some shows undergo rewrites during filming, Whishaw’s comments suggest that Black Doves was developed under more fluid circumstances, which may have contributed to its unpredictable storytelling. A more structured writing process could be necessary to ensure a smoother production timeline for season 2. However, as Barton said he's already working on the story for season 2, it seems likely that work is underway; it's just not at the point where Whishaw has been informed of anything. If writing continues and finishes within the coming months, season 2 can begin filming later this year.
Our Take On Black Doves’ Future
This Isn't Reason To Panic
Black Doves season 1 premiered only a month ago at the time of writing, so the gap between its debut and the start of production on season 2 isn't out of the ordinary. Though the season 2 renewal took place well before the show premiered, Whishaw's comments indicate that the Black Doves story is so fluid, the creative team has been going back and forth over how to proceed. As this seems characteristic of the show so far, it seems there isn't reason to be concerned. Black Doves could still be on track for a 2026 return.
Source: Collider
Black Doves
- Release Date
- December 5, 2024
- Network
- Netflix
- Directors
- Lisa Gunning
Cast
Ben WhishawSam Young
Kathryn HunterLenny
- Creator(s)
- Joe Barton
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