The new thriller Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, is set to hit on December 5. The six-part series also features a star-studded cast including Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan, Kathryn Hunter, Ella Lily Hyland, Gabrielle Creevy and Omari Douglas.
Black Doves centres around spy Helen Webb (Knightley) who is undercover as a politician’s wife. After discovering her lover’s murder, she joins forces with an assassin from her past to exact revenge and uncover hidden truths.
Ben Whishaw, 44, takes on the role of Sam in the series, marking his first TV appearance this year. In 2024, he has been seen in films such as Limonov: The Ballad and Paddington in Peru, as well as the West End revival of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
Whishaw is perhaps most recognised for his role in My Brother Tom, which earned him a British Independent Film Award, and his portrayal of Hamlet in a 2004 production that won him an Olivier Award.
His other notable roles include appearances in TV shows like Criminal Justice and The Hour, and films such as Bright Star, I’m Not There and Mary Poppins Returns. Many will know him as Q from the James Bond films Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.
Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley in Black Doves (Image: Netflix)
Whishaw has also lent his voice to Paddington Bear in numerous projects, including the latest Paddington film.
His theatre credits are extensive, having starred in productions like Julius Caesar, The Seagull and Norma Jeane Baker of Troy.
Despite his stellar career, Ben has always been keen to keep his personal life under wraps.
The star has consistently dodged questions about his private affairs since rising to fame, once telling The Telegraph: “For me, it’s important to keep a level of anonymity. As an actor, your job is to persuade people that you’re someone else. So if you’re constantly telling people about yourself, I think you’re shooting yourself in the foot.”
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Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Mark Bradshaw (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
However, Ben did open up about his sexuality in 2014 after he had entered into a civil partnership with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw in 2012, whom he met in 2009.
Reflecting on his decision to come out, he admitted it was a nerve-wracking experience but found that “everyone was surprisingly lovely”. After a decade together, Ben and Mark parted ways in 2022.
Since then, Ben has kept quiet about the details of their separation.