BAFTA-winning actress Sarah Lancashire, widely known for her powerful portrayal of Catherine Cawood in BBC's Happy Valley, has taken on a dramatically different character in Netflix's new espionage thriller 'Black Doves'.
In the series, which has already earned a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Lancashire plays Reed, the mysterious head of the Black Doves organization. The plot follows spy Helen (Keira Knightley) whose lover Jason is killed, prompting Reed to assign protector Sam (Ben Whishaw) to safeguard Helen.
Speaking to TalkRadio about her character, Lancashire revealed she "adored" playing Reed, despite audiences finding the character sinister. "When I was playing her I just thought she was kind of firm but fair," Lancashire explained. "She's enigmatic, and we don't know what she's thinking, and there's an ambiguity there."
The actress praised writer Joe Barton's script, describing it as "clever and witty," noting that "that kind of writing doesn't come along every day."
Lancashire also shared insights about Reed's complexity during press interviews, highlighting how the character's dedication to the organization has come at a personal cost. "She's given the best years of her life to an organization which has probably robbed her of a partner, children, family, friends," she reflected.
The show has already garnered enthusiastic responses from viewers, with many praising its entertainment value and memorable dialogue. Audiences have particularly noted the series' engaging narrative, with some expressing their eagerness to binge-watch all six episodes.
'Black Doves' is currently streaming on Netflix, featuring Lancashire alongside Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw in this gripping espionage thriller.