What To Watch TV Reviews: Black Doves, Unskilled Adult, The Assassin and North Of North

Black Doves

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

When a TV series stars the likes of Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire and Ben Whishaw, you know it’s going to be good. This Netflix drama knocked it out of the park with its first season, and it’s back for an explosive follow-up.

Knightley plays Helen, Prime Minister’s wife by day, covert operative by night, and a member of the mysterious Black Doves group.

She’s walking one heck of a tightrope as she juggles her high-stakes double life, balancing wife and mother duties with her kick-ass side hustle.

This season the stakes are even higher.

Helen’s bestie Sam is back, as well as their boss Mrs Reed (Lancashire), who is the cold, calculating head of the Black Doves organisation.

But when something happens to her, they’re all on a frantic search for answers.

“(Helen is) literally the spy at the heart of government, so she’s kind of reached the pinnacle of where she can get to,” writer, creator, and executive producer Joe Barton said.

“But at the same time as that happens, her handler, Reed (Sarah Lancashire), goes missing.

“So Helen’s in this very precarious situation suddenly, and without her professional ally.”

Joining the cast this season are two great actors, Scream’s Neve Campbell, and Ambika Mod, who was terrific in the Netflix drama One Day.

This one’s getting heaps of buzz — mark your diaries.

Unskilled Adult

Sunday, streaming on Stan

Hamish Blake is on a mission to learn new skills, starting with a spot of carpentry, with mates Becky Lukas and Hugh van Cuylenburg joining him in episode one. They’re on a quest to help everyday people out, trying their hand at trades through Hamish’s company. A satisfyingly silly second-screen watch.

Mike Tyson: Return Of The Mike

Tuesday, streaming on Netflix

Caught this warts-and-all doco about boxing legend Mike Tyson? It wasn’t what I was expecting — in the best possible way. With so many heavily sanitised celeb docos doing the rounds right now (Beckhams, we’re looking at you), it’s satisfying to engage with this real, raw and honest look at a truly fascinating public figure. Stranger than fiction.

North Of North

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

This Canadian Arctic comedy was one of my faves last year. Who knew a show about a young Inuk mum living in a tiny town in the Arctic Circle could be so relatable? This season sees Siaja (Anna Lambe) levelling up in her career, while simultaneously balancing family life — all in the freezing wilds of Ice Cove. Mad respect. Adore this show.

The Assassin

Friday, streaming on Netflix

Keeley Hawes is back as ex-gun-for-hire Julie, whose life imploded in spectacular fashion last season when her real-world and old-work world collided via a hit-gone-wrong involving someone close to home. Season two picks up a few months on, and sees her reuniting with her son (Freddie Highmore). Once more, their lives are on the line. Another white-knuckle ride.