Black Doves’ Sarah Lancashire on ‘sinister’ new role in Netflix drama – and how different it is to Happy Valley
BLACK Doves' Sarah Lancashire has spoken out about her 'sinister' new role in the Netflix drama - and how different it is to Happy Valley.
Netflix drama Black Doves has been dubbed the next best thing to James Bond - and fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Sarah and her co-star Keira Knightley will take flight when it debuts tonight.
This spy thriller is set against the gloomy backdrop of Londonat Christmas.
Love Actually star Keira plays Helen Webb, a professional spy married to a politician who has been leaking her husband's secrets to the Black Doves shadowy outfit she works for.
Sarah portrays Reed, the organisation's boss who calls in Sam (Ben Whishaw) to protect Helen after her secret lover Jason is assassinated.
He is tasked with keeping her safe as Helen tries to investigate Jason's killer, and they uncover a darker conspiracy at play.
Read more on Black Doves
Speaking to Talk Radio, Sarah said: "[It] is really funny because people think she's really sinister. I mean, when I was playing her I just thought she was kind of firm but fair.
"She's enigmatic, and we don't know what she's thinking, and there's an ambiguity there.
"But I adored her because of the writing. Joe Barton's script is incredible.
"He's an extraordinary writer, and so you know, when you're looking at something clever and witty and tall, and that kind of writing doesn't come along every day, it's a joy to do."
She added that she was "very lucky" to work with Ben and Keira.
"It’s just a privilege, isn’t it. I mean, you've got two actors who are really at the top of their game; it’s a great position to be in."
Sarah rose to fame as Raquel in Coronation Street, Curly Watt's dippy wife.
She has since starred in many heavyweight dramas, from Happy Valley to The Accident and Kiri.
Sarah played Jamie's mum in Everybody's Talking About Jamie, released on Prime Video.
Black Doves cast: Where have you seen them before?
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley had a minor role as Sabe in Star Wars: Episode 1- The Phantom Menace in 1999.
But her breakthrough role was as a tomboy footballer in Bend It Like Beckham in 2002
It was closely followed by Love Actually in 2003
Her fame catapulted when she portrayed Elisabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series from 2003-2007.
She also played Elisabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice signalling her era as a period actress appearing in Atonement (2007), The Duchess (2008), A Dangerous Method (2011) and Anna Karenina (2012), and The Imitation Game (2014), Colette (2018)
Her latest role was as journalist Loretta McLaughlin in The Boston Strangler.
Sarah Lancashire, OBE
Sarah made her acting debut as Raquel in Coronation Street (1991-1996, 2000)
She went on to roles in Where The Heart Is (1997-99) and Clocking Off (2000)
In 2000, she became the UK's highest paid television actress.
She went on to appear in Cherished (2005), Oliver Twist (2007). Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011) and Five Daughters (2010)
She then went on star in critically acclaimed roles such as The Paradise (2012), Last Tango in Halifax (2012-2020), Happy Valley (2014-2023), Kiri (2018) and Julia (2022-2023)
Sarah appeared in Everybody's Talking About Jamie, released on Prime Video.
Her West End career includes appearances in Blood Brothers at the Albery Theatre and the lead role in Educating Rita at the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch.
Ben Wishaw
Theatre appearances have included roles in:
My Brother Tom (2011) - which won an Independent film award
Hamlet (2004), a nomination for a Lawrence Olivier Award
TV roles in Nathan Barley (2005), Criminal Justice (2008) - which received a BAFTA award nomination and The Hour (2011-12)
Film roles have included: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), I'm not There (2007), Brideshead Revisited (2008) and Bright Star (2009).