Netflix fans said they “can’t wait” to see Keira Knightley return to screens as a professional spy.

The six-part spy thriller Black Doves was written by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project) and is presented by the streaming service as ‘an early Christmas present’.

Against the backdrop of London at Christmasthe series follows Helen Webb (Keira), a quick-witted, down-to-earth and dedicated wife and mother who is also a professional spy.

After a decade of passing her politician husband’s secrets to the shadowy organization she works for – the Black Doves – Helen’s secret lover, Jason (Andrew Koji), is murdered.

Following this shocking turn of events, his spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls Sam, Helen’s old friend (Ben Whishaw), an assassin, to ensure his safety.

The two then embarked on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why, leading them to uncover a “vast interconnected conspiracy linking London’s murky underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.”

Footage released by Netflix last week also showed a blood-splattered Keira in a car alongside a grim-looking Ben, while the Happy Valley star Sarah cut her blonde locks into a tight bob for this fierce role.

It also looks like Christmas London film – with a thrilling thriller twist, of course – where Keira is seen looking over the River Thames as snow falls all around.

Netflix billed the film as featuring the three actors “like you’ve never seen them before.”

Fans were in pieces after the final episode aired. BBC One in February last year, leaving a big void in the hearts of many crime drama lovers.

Hopefully this can fill it… Black Doves has already been given the green light for a second season.

Black Doves is broadcast from December 5 on Netflix.

This article was originally published on October 15.

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