Who is Dani in Black Doves? Everything you need to know

Keira Knightley's latest spy thriller, Black Doves, premiered on Netflix on December 5, 2024. The show is set in London during Christmas, and Knightley plays Helen Webb, a wife, mother, and secret agent working for the spy organization Black Doves.

Another prominent character in the show is Dani, played by Agnes O'Casey. She is initially introduced as Helen's husband's assistant but is later revealed to be a secret Black Doves agent. She was sent by Helen's boss, Reed, to replace Helen in the organization.

Created by Joe Barton, Black Doves is a mix of action, drama, and suspense. In addition to Keira Knightley, the cast includes Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Koji, Omari Douglas, Ben Whishaw, and others. The first season consists of six episodes, and the show has already been renewed for a second season.

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Black Doves ending: What was Dani's real identity?

Still from the trailer (Image via YouTube/Netflix)

Black Doves follows the story of Helen Webb, a spy who is married to Wallace Webb, the Secretary of State for Defence in Britain. For a decade, Helen has been secretly leaking her husband’s sensitive information to her organization.

Things take a turn when her secret lover, Jason, is killed. To discover the truth behind his death, she gets help from her former partner, Sam (Ben Whishaw). Their investigation opens up conspiracies involving London’s criminal underworld and a larger global threat.

At the end of season 1, a plot twist occurs when Wallace Webb's assistant, Dani, is revealed to be a covert agent working for the Black Doves organization. She was sent by Reed to take Helen's place, as Reed believed Helen's position was compromised after her association with Jason.

Dani's role was not only to infiltrate Helen’s life but also to eliminate her if necessary. Using her position as Wallace's assistant, she tries to seduce him to get access to sensitive information. She also has personal motives, as she wants to prove her loyalty to Reed.

Helen had her suspicions about Dani from the start. The tussle between them reaches its height in a dramatic confrontation in episode 5, where Helen uncovers Dani’s true identity. Dani tries to kill Helen in a jewelry shop showdown, but Helen wins that fight and spares Dani's life. Their altercation and clashing interests set the stage for future conflicts.

Critics have praised the show's interesting blend of genres. Based on 61 reviews, it has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For her role, Keira Knightley received a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series at the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards.

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Will Dani return for Black Doves season 2?

After their violent confrontation in season 1, Dani's storyline is likely to expand on as a dangerous rival to Helen Webb. Her failure to eliminate Helen, combined with her knowledge of Helen’s secrets and her loyalty to Reed, positions her as a potential antagonist.

If Dani decides to seek revenge in season 2, it could create further drama within the organization. The power struggle between Dani and Helen could intensify in the next season.

The show can also take another turn and develop Dani's character as a potential comrade to Helen next season. There is no official teaser yet, so fans can speculate about all possibilities.

Furthermore, fans will see Wallace becoming the prime minister next season. The show's creator, Joe Barton, talked about the evolving character arcs in an interview with Tudum by Netflix dated December 20, 2024. He said,

“Just seeing the tension of that, seeing Sam back in London … I would like to see more Eleanor and Williams, Kai-Ming, all those people. I’d like to start to throw them up against one another again, and maybe make things more dangerous and challenging for them.”

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Black Doves is now streaming on Netflix.