Netflix recently released a new thriller series starring Keira Knightley calledBlack Doves, and this project has quickly proven that the British actress needs to appear in more action movies.Knightley’s career began at a very young age, when she took on a small part inStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.From there, the actress earned her breakout role in 2002’sBend it Like Beckham,and soon after, she earned her iconic role asElizabeth Swann in thePirates of the Carribeanfranchise. Knightley has long impressed Hollywood, butBlack Dovesshows she has even more to offer.
Released in early December 2024,Black Dovesis a thriller that centers on Helen, the wife of the Secretary of State for Defense who is also part ofa spy organization called the Black Doves.When Helen’s husband is killed by London’s underground criminals, she is in danger of being discovered, which leads her employers to send an old friend named Sam to protect her. Despite premiering a few weeks ago,Black Doveshas already earned an impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has shown a new side to Knightley that audiences have been missing.
Black Doves Shows How Keira Knightley Shines In Action Movies & TV Shows
Knightley’s Power Has Briefly Appeared In Other Movies
The main aspect ofKnightley’s role inBlack Dovesthat is exciting is the fact that audiences have rarely seen her in this type of role.As Helen, Knightley must be tough, fierce, and ready for combatat any moment. In the series, she shows off her talent as an action star, and even goes so far as to be scary and intimidating. Viewers never doubted that Knightley could take on this type of performance, but to actually see it is incredibly motivating. In fact, this dark, edgy role seems strangely well-suited to the actress.
Keira Knightley’s New 98% Netflix Spy Thriller Is Exactly What We’ve Been Waiting For, 17 Years After Her Last Major POTC Movie
With critical acclaim for the new Netflix series, Keira Knightley is now starring in her greatest action outing since Pirates of the Caribbean.
Of course, Knightley’s previous roles have not been entirely sweet and innocent. Knightley’s most popular franchise,Pirates of the Carribean,saw her in equally dangerous situations where she had to shoot first and ask questions later. At first glance,Elizabeth looks like a fragile flower, but she quickly proves to her pirate captors that she will not go downwithout a fight. In later movies, she even takes on the role of a pirate. In this way,Pirates of the Carribeanset Knightley up to be a convincing spy inBlack Doves.
Black Doves Is Keira Knightley’s First True Action Role In Years
Knightley’s Experience With Action Movies
Another element ofBlack Dovesthat makes it stand out withinKnightley’s best movies and showsis the fact that Knightley hasn’t been part of an action project in many years.Pirates of the Carribeansaw her in a somewhat action-centered light, and the actress has been part of movies labeled as action, but her playing a combat-heavy character hasn’t occurred in quite a long time. In recent years,Knightley has mostly taken on drama and comedy roles.More than that, her most recent movies have gone somewhat under the radar. Thus,Black Dovesis easily recognizable as a change for the actress.
In this way, Knightley has never really been the action hero at the center of the story: until now.
Within Knightley’s resume, only a few action movies actually seem relevant. Aside fromPirates of the Carribean,Knightley has appeared in films such asJack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, London Boulevard,andKing Arthur.However, even within these films,Knightley typically plays a more subdued character. AlthoughKing Arthur’sGuinevere is surprisingly skilled with a sword, she is far from the scariest soldier on the field. InJack Ryan,Knightley plays a medical student. In this way, Knightley has never really been the action hero at the center of the story: until now.
What Keira Knightley Has Done Since Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End
Best Keira Knightley Projects To Watch After Black Doves
Clearly,Black Dovesis a big moment for Knightley’s career. Therefore, many may be wondering what the actress has been doing between now and herfinal major appearance in thePirates of the Carribeanfranchise. Following 2007’sPirates of the Carribean: At World’s End,Knightley has appeared in notable feature films such asAtonement, Anna Karenina, Begin Again,andThe Imitation Game.For the most part, Knightley has stuck to historical pieces and dramas, but more recently, she has delved further into the crime genre. For example, she starred in the 2023’s series,Boston Strangler.
Ultimately,this type of crime project is exactly what audiences should pick up after watchingBlack Doves.For those who want to see Knightley take on more conspiracies and bad guys,Boston Strangleris a perfect follow-up. Other strong alternatives include the 2019 film,Official SecretsorLondon Boulevard.She even has high-stakes films outside the crime genre, includingSeeking a Friend for the End of the WorldandEverest.However,Black Dovesis the perfect opportunity to see Knightley in a completely new light.
Black Doves
Cast
Black Doves is a suspenseful thriller released in December 2024. It follows a spy masquerading as a politician’s wife who, after discovering her lover’s murder, joins forces with an old assassin associate to uncover the truth and seek revenge.
