Black Doves series 2 filming locations include 'beautiful chapel in Italy' and 'surreal' Downing Street scenes
The glamour and the grit of some of Europe's most famous cities
Black Doves series 2 lands appropriately on Fireworks Night 2026 so expect plenty of explosions, as well as some stunning filming locations – some of which you’ll recognise.
The new episodes reacquaint us with unlikely spy Helen Webb, played by Keira Knightley. And the stakes have just got a whole lot higher. This time, Helen’s politician husband is now Prime Minister. So every eye is on Helen, and her role as intelligence is more important than ever before.
Over the course of the series, Helen must decide where to put her trust. With Reed disappearing, Helen soon realises that her handler might be the one person who can truly keep her safe. But as the walls close in on her, she must face the truth – she can’t keep hiding behind her lies forever.
But did Keira Knightley and her fellow cast and crew really film in Downing Street? Here’s everything you need to know about the Black Doves series 2 filming locations.
Where is Black Doves series 2 set?
Like series 1, Black Doves series 2 is largely set in the UK capital of London. In fact, production used more than 85 locations in the first series in 2024.
Cast and crew of the original drama also filmed several scenes abroad, too. In series 1, they filmed additional scenes in Rome, Italy. Series 2, meanwhile, returns to Italy, and also sees some of the key characters arrive in Paris, France.
Although some scenes in episode 4 are Berlin, production did not film in Germany.
Viewers will see dozens of London’s famous landmarks, not least the London Eye, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, The Shard, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, and the Houses of Parliament. Of course, with Wallace Webb now in position as Prime Minister of the UK, he and wife Helen now live at Number 10 Downing Street…
Where is Black Doves series 2 really filmed?
While London provides the backdrop for much of Black Doves series 2, the cast and crew also ventured much further afield to film the new episodes.
Production set camp in Uxbridge and Harefield in Hillingdon, as well as Middlesex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton, and High Wycombe in the Chiltern Hills.
In London, as well as central filming locations, locals will recognise Crouch Hill, Mayfair, Battersea, Soho, Holborn, Stepney Green and Clerkenwell. See below for specific filming locations in Black Doves series 2.
Did cast and crew really film at Number 10 Downing Street?
Because there’s already someone rather important living there, the actors did not film in the real Number 10 Downing Street.
Despite very realistic looking scenes outside the famous house and street, cast and crew actually filmed the interior shots at Harefield Grove, Uxbridge.
Harefield Grove is a Grade II-listed house dating back to the early 19th century, surrounded by sprawling parkland in Harefield, Middlesex. The Black Doves cast and crew also used the grand building to film scenes set in the Black Doves HQ lift, nightclub toilets, and Chernov’s Paris hotel.
Cast and crew also used Gray’s Inn in Holborn for Whitehall and Downing Street scenes.
Revealing his favourite moment filming on set, actor Andrew Buchan – who plays PM Wallace Webb – said: “Filming in Paris was wonderful. And all the Downing Street scenes were amazing and surreal.”
Luton Hoo Hotel & Estate features in Black Doves series 2 episode 5
In episode 5, the cast and crew headed to Luton Hoo Hotel & Estate in Luton to film some crucial scenes. The grand country house provided the backdrop for both interior and exterior shots of what we’ll simply call “the showdown”.
The Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa and the broader Luton Hoo Estate sit on over 1,000 acres of historic Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire countryside near Luton. The luxury five-star hotel and golf resort have temporarily closed while the Arora Group oversees a multi-million-pound refurbishment. However, visitors can still explore the independent Luton Hoo Estate, which offers scenic walks, a walled garden and local businesses.
The majestic 18th-century country house has served as a prominent filming location for several notable projects on Netflix. These include The Diplomat, Enola Holmes, and Bridgerton.
Key UK filming locations used in Black Doves series 2
- Cast and crew of Black Doves series 2 filmed interior shots of Laila’s pub at The Wooden Cross in Crouch Hill.
- The cast and crew used the elegant Mayfair mansion Dartmouth House to film the interior scenes at the Chancellor Club, where Helen and Wallace meet Alexi and Katia Chernov for dinner.
- Meanwhile, production headed to Sardinian restaurant Pinna in Mayfair to film the scenes in the fictional Chancellor Club bathroom, where Helen confronts Katia Chernov.
- Helen waits to meet Reed in Battersea Park.
- Production filmed the interior and exterior shots for Tanner Cottage in Dorset (2018) in Wormsley Estate Cottage, High Wycombe. This is where Helen confronts Franz.
- Jack Solomons Club in Soho features as a filming location several times in Black Doves series 2. It was used for interior shots of the tapas restaurant in episode 1, the nightclub in episode 4, and the Jazz bar in episode 5. Meanwhile, Trafik in Old Street poses as the exterior of the Jazz bar.
- The late night café where Sam and Helen meet to review the stolen flash drive in episode 2 was filmed at fish and chip shop The Fryer’s Delight, Holborn.
- The Burnt Sugar Restaurant where Sam arrives for the table Jerry booked was filmed at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell. This location also poses as Conteh’s Bar where he conducts his meetings.
- The George Tavern in Stepney Green was used for the interior shots of Kestrel Flat (1988), East Berlin Bar (1988) and Underpass (1988) in episode 4.
- The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was used for the interior shots of Chinatown Flat, Black Doves HQ Berlin (1988).
What other famous landmarks and hotels feature in the spy thriller?
In episode 1, the historic 5-star hotel Kimpton Fitzroy London in Bloomsbury poses as the Parisian Event Space. It’s located at 1–8 Russell Square in the heart of Bloomsbury, London.
Also in episode 1, the cast and crew used the interior of the Four Seasons Hotel in Tower Hill to film scenes at Chernov’s Paris hotel and reception.
London landmark Somerset House on the Strand is where Helen and Laila are chased into a gallery event and fight the pursuers.
The famous National Theatre on London’s South Bank features in episode 2, when Helen meets Conteh. Meanwhile, Rosewood London, a luxury hotel in Covent Garden, was used for shots of Sam’s Hotel.
London Zoo in Regent’s Park features in shots of the Lion Enclosure, while Queen Elizabeth II Centre (QEII) in Westminster was used for interior and exterior shots of the Summit Venue.
Key Italy filming locations in Black Doves series 2
Cast and crew of Black Doves series 2 also filmed in Italy, specifically Nazzano and Rome. Nazzano is a comune in Rome in the Italian region Lazio, located about 40 kilometres north of Rome. Of course, Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy, located in the central-western portion of the country along the Tiber River.
The cast and crew headed to the chapel on Via Della Chiesa in Nazzano to film the exterior scenes at the church where Sam meets Reed in episode 4.
Piazza Umberto I in Nazzano poses as Matteo’s house in episode 4.
Via Felice Cavallotti in Nazzano is where production filmed Sam’s house and terrace in episode 4.
Talking about her favourite moment filming on set, Reed actress Sarah Lancashire said: “It’s very difficult to choose. But there’s definitely something remarkable about filming at midnight, halfway up a mountain on the outskirts of Rome in the most beautiful chapel in Italy. When you get moments like those you really can’t take them for granted. We have been very fortunate to shoot in some really beautiful locations.”
Key scenes in France
The production crew of Black Doves series 2 also used the French capital of Paris as a filming location.
The cast and crew used Brasserie À La Place in Saint Georges to film the interior scenes at the Paris bistro where Helen meets Reed in episode 1.
Production also used the five star Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris for certain interior shots. They filmed in Espace Potel & Chabot for the alleyway and Gala venue.
Read more: Sarah Lancashire plays woman convicted of killing her three children in ‘utterly compelling’ Netflix series Witch Hunt
