Hideo Kojima Can’t Stop Raving About ‘Black Doves’ After Binging the New Season

Netflix’s ‘Black Doves’ has picked up plenty of admirers since it debuted in December 2024, and the spy thriller’s second season has just landed one of gaming’s most famous fans. Created by Joe Barton, the series follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), an undercover operative for a secret for-profit espionage agency called the Black Doves. Ben Whishaw plays her best friend Sam Young, a hitman who used to work for the organization.

The show was a hit right out of the gate. Netflix renewed it before Season 1 even premiered, and that first season earned nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards for Knightley, the Independent Spirit Awards for Whishaw, and the BAFTAs for its costumes. Season 2 arrived with 6 new episodes and new faces, including Ambika Mod and Neve Campbell.

Now ‘Metal Gear Solid’ creator Hideo Kojima has added his voice to the chorus of praise. In a post on X, Kojima said he enjoyed the new season so much that he binge-watched the rest of it in one sitting. He wrote that while Season 1 was great, Season 2 takes the series to a whole new level, calling it an absolute treat for fans of British spy thrillers.

Kojima was especially impressed by the performances. He said Knightley and Whishaw are simply outstanding, and also praised Kathryn Hunter as the handler of hired killers and Ella Lily Hyland as an assassin. In his view, every character is brilliantly written and brought to life.

“Black Doves” was so good that I ended up binge-watching the rest of Season 2 in one sitting. Season 1 was great, but Season 2 takes it to a whole new level. For fans of British spy thrillers, this is an absolute treat. The story beautifully captures the lies, love and hate, sadness, loneliness, and loyalty of spies and assassins, building up to an action-packed finale. Above all, Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are simply outstanding. Kathryn Hunter as the handler of hired killers and Ella Lily Hyland as an assassin are also fantastic. Every single character is brilliantly written and brought to life. I could watch this forever. I really hope there’s another season. Highly recommended! 👍🫶

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) November 7, 2026

He also highlighted what makes the show work emotionally. Kojima said the story captures the lies, love, hate, sadness, loneliness, and loyalty of spies and assassins as it builds to an action-packed finale. He ended by saying he could watch it forever, hoping for another season and strongly recommending the series.

Kojima is far from alone. Season 2 debuted with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83 on Metacritic, both higher than Season 1’s 92% and 78. Critics have called the new episodes immensely bingeable.

The trailer for ‘BLACK DOVES’ Season 2 has been released. Premieres November 5 on Netflix. https://t.co/sio0AwCY6M

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 24, 2026

RogerEbert.com went as far as suggesting ‘Black Doves’ might be Netflix’s best show. Its review praised the breakneck plotting and named Whishaw the award-worthy standout, while noting that a gunfire-heavy 5th episode demands a bit more suspension of disbelief. The Guardian and The Independent each gave the season 4 out of 5 stars.

Not every review was quite as glowing. ScreenRant argued the season loses some depth as it aims for bigger, more action-heavy territory, though it still called the show thrilling, funny, and well worth watching.

Viewers have been just as enthusiastic. Many binge-watched all 6 episodes in one sitting, and some immediately called for a third season. RogerEbert.com noted that the finale ends with scenes promising a third season that will head in a different direction. That’s good news for Kojima and everyone else hoping to see Helen and Sam back in action. For now, the full second season of ‘Black Doves’ is streaming on Netflix.

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