The Apple TV+ seriesSlow Horsesis a thrilling British spy series that follows MI5 agents in their investigations. However,Slow Horses' twist of placing the agents in the MI5 version of a banishment room, Slough House, has differentiated it from the typical spy thriller.Slow Horsesfeatures a stellar cast, and each of the characters brings their own faults and eccentricities to the show, making it feel even more real and gripping. It is no wonder that fans are looking forward toSlow Horsesseason 5, but, in the meantime, Netflix has just released the perfect follow-up series.

Netflix has released many great showsand movies throughout the 2024 holiday season, andBlack Dovesis certainly among the best. The new spy thriller centers on an agent whose lover is killed, prompting her to wonder whether she is the next target.Slow HorsesandBlack Doveseach create a suspenseful and gripping drama for audiences while maintaining enough difference to keep them guessing, making the two a great pairing for fans of spy thrillers.

Keira Knightley standing on a bridge with the wind in her hair as she looks over her should in Black Doves

Netflix’s Black Doves Is Another Acclaimed British Spy Thriller Like Slow Horses

Black Doves Has A Great Cast And Some Exciting Twists

Fans ofSlow Horseswould certainly enjoyBlack Dovesbecause both shows make use of some of the most exciting and suspenseful aspects of spy thrillers while remaining unique in their plot and characters. Just asSlow Horsesfeatures a wealth of well-known actors,Black Doves' cast includes familiar faceslike Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, and their performances have already been met with critical acclaim. Likewise, with pieces ofBlack Doves' plot borrowing from genres such as drama and romance,Black Dovesadds new layers to the typical spy show.

The characters of both shows may be flawed in their own ways, but audiences want to root for them and find out what could happen next.

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At first glance,Slow Horsesis quite an unusual spy series because it focuses on MI5 agents who have been deemed unworthy in some aspect. Likewise, Keira Knightley’s character Helen is an unusual spy because of her outward focus on family life and seeming reluctance to be involved in the show’s secretive events. However, these complexities are precisely what make the agents inSlow HorsesandBlack Dovesgreat. The characters of both shows may be flawed in their own ways, but audiences want to root for them and find out what could happen next.

Why Black Doves & Slow Horses Both Have Such Fantastic Reviews

Reviewers Have Praised The Writing And Performances

While spy thrillers often do well with audiences for their action and entertainment value,Black DovesandSlow Horsesstand out at the top with incredible reviews by both critics and audiences alike.Black Dovescurrently holds a 100% critical approval rating onRotten TomatoesandSlow Horsesis right there with it at a 98%Rotten Tomatoesapproval rating. Multiple elements of each show help them stand out in the crowd of similar spy series, but reviews have cited the writing and performances as strong points.

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Creator Joe Barton details the series of real-life events that inspired his upcoming Netflix spy series which is led by Keira Knightley.

In particular, critics have commended the pace and plot ofBlack Dovesas thoroughly entertaining for the entirety of its runtime. Critics and audiences have similarly lauded the plot and writing ofSlow Horsesas being equally gripping. For bothBlack DovesandSlow Horses, audiences have been impressed by the shows' abilities to create characters and stories that are both exciting and, at times, emotional, and that always have the ability to keep fans asking what will happen next.

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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.

Slow Horses

Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents led by the notorious Jackson Lamb. Set against the backdrop of the espionage world, the agents must navigate complex operations and defend England from sinister forces, all while dealing with internal struggles and their abrasive boss.