Black Doves

What’s it about?

Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, professional spy Helen Webb learns her her lover has been murdered, and she sets out on a quest for truth with an old assassin friend.

The facts

• Directed by Alex Gabassi and Lisa Gunning
• Created by Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project)
• Stars Kiera Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan
• English language
• Runtime: 6 episodes, each around 55 minutes long
• Netflix original

Why did it get this rating?

This film was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Graphic violence

Most episodes have fight scenes, many with weapons like guns and knives. Some of the stronger moments of violence include:

• Several characters are shot, with a lot of blood spray shown.
• A character is shot in the head causing it to explode, this is very graphic.
• Dead bodies are shown, including a character who lies dead in their own blood after their throat is slit.
• A character is choked to death.
• A character is stabbed in the leg.

Sex scenes 

• Two characters have sex, you see movement with buttock nudity
• In several flashback scenes characters are shown having sex. There is no nudity.

Offensive language 

The words “f*ck,” “sh*t,” “cock” and “piss” are used.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Keira Knightley Comes to TV as a Covert Spy in Christmas Thriller Black Doves (Tudum article)