Joe Barton has already named two dream additions for a possible third season of Black Doves: Tom Hanks and Elliot Page. The creator’s comments offer a tantalizing glimpse of the kind of guest casting he would love to see in the Netflix spy thriller. But there is an important distinction between a showrunner’s wish list and an actual casting announcement: neither actor has been confirmed for the series, and Netflix has not officially renewed the show for Season 3.
Barton shared the names during the Season 2 launch event in London, where Esquire UK asked him about his dream guest stars. His answer was direct: Tom Hanks and Elliot Page. Page has a particularly clear connection to the creator: Barton said Page emailed him after watching the first season to say he liked the show, and the two had previously worked together.
What Joe Barton Actually Said About Tom Hanks and Elliot Page
The comment came as Barton was looking ahead to what a potential third season might look like. Asked who he would most like to bring into the show, he named Hanks first, then Page. He explained that Page had contacted him after Season 1 and that they had worked together before.
That previous collaboration was My Days of Mercy, the romantic drama written by Barton and starring Elliot Page and Kate Mara. The film follows two people on opposing sides of the death-penalty debate whose relationship develops despite their political differences. It gives Barton and Page a real professional history, rather than making the idea of a Black Doves appearance a random celebrity wish.
Still, Barton’s remarks should be read accurately. He described actors he would love to see, not people who have accepted roles. There is no announced character, episode, deal, filming date or confirmed appearance for either Hanks or Page.
Why Tom Hanks Would Be an Intriguing Fit for Black Doves
Hanks would bring a very different screen presence to the series. Audiences know him for performances that can combine warmth, authority and moral uncertainty. In a story built around political influence, covert networks and people who rarely reveal their full motives, that contrast could be compelling.
A guest role would not need to turn Hanks into another action-heavy assassin. The more interesting possibility might be a powerful figure whose public reputation looks reassuring while his private interests are much harder to read. A senior political adviser, a wealthy intermediary, an intelligence contact or a person with access to sensitive information could all fit the show’s world. Those are story possibilities, not reported casting details or plot plans.
The series has already shown that its most effective threats do not always arrive with a weapon in hand. Information, leverage and personal loyalties can be just as dangerous. A performer with Hanks’s ability to shift between geniality and intensity could make a brief appearance feel consequential.
Why Elliot Page Has a More Direct Connection to Joe Barton
Page’s possible involvement has a different foundation. Barton has worked with Page before on My Days of Mercy, and he specifically referred to Page’s message after Season 1. That history gives the idea a personal and creative dimension: the showrunner already knows the actor’s work, and Page had expressed enthusiasm for the series.
Page could fit the show without simply repeating a familiar type of role. Black Doves is populated by characters who operate in morally complicated spaces, often balancing private loyalties against institutional demands. A new character connected to an intelligence network, a political operation or one of the show’s international storylines could create a fresh dynamic. The precise role, if one were ever developed, remains unknown.
It is also worth separating Page’s reported appreciation for Season 1 from any suggestion that an appearance is arranged. A positive email is not a contract, and Barton’s enthusiasm is not a production announcement.
Could Their Cameos Change the Shape of Season 3?
The appeal of these names is not simply their star power. Black Doves has a world that can accommodate new players without losing its central relationships. Helen Webb’s position close to the British prime minister creates access to political power, while the Black Doves’ intelligence trade reaches beyond any one office or city. New guest characters could widen that world and introduce competing agendas.
Hanks and Page would also offer contrasting possibilities. Hanks could plausibly play an established figure whose influence is already embedded in the system. Page might suit a character whose connection to the network is more personal, unpredictable or newly emerging. Those are editorial ideas about potential casting, not information confirmed by Barton.
Any third season would first need to be commissioned. As of the latest reporting, Netflix had not publicly renewed Black Doves for another season. Barton has discussed the possibility of continuing the story and reporting has described a writers’ room working on ideas, but development conversations do not equal a green light.
Season 3 Is Not Officially Confirmed Yet
That distinction matters because the show’s future depends on a decision from Netflix. Season 2 arrived on November 5, 2026, and the finale leaves several character and story questions open. But an unresolved ending, a creator’s enthusiasm and a list of dream guest stars cannot be treated as proof that new episodes are guaranteed.
Recent coverage from Esquire’s Season 3 update says Netflix had not yet renewed the series. TV Insider’s report likewise notes that a third season had not been greenlit. Until Netflix makes an announcement, the safest description is that Season 3 is a possibility being discussed, not a confirmed production.
What Fans Should Watch for Next
The most meaningful update would be an official renewal announcement from Netflix or a direct statement from the production confirming that casting discussions have become formal. Until then, fans should treat the Hanks and Page names as Barton’s wish list.
There are three separate questions to keep in mind:
- Does Joe Barton want them? Yes. He named Tom Hanks and Elliot Page as dream guest stars in his Esquire interview.
- Have either actor been cast? No casting confirmation was included in the interview or the latest renewal reporting.
- Is Season 3 officially happening? Netflix had not announced a renewal in the latest reports checked for this article.
The comments are exciting because they show Barton is thinking about how the world of Black Doves might expand. They are not a promise that either actor will appear. If the series returns and the conversations ever become real casting decisions, Hanks and Page would be two very different additions to a show that thrives on unexpected alliances and dangerous secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Joe Barton’s dream guest stars for Black Doves Season 3?
Joe Barton named Tom Hanks and Elliot Page as the actors he would love to bring into a possible third season.
Has Tom Hanks joined Black Doves?
No. Barton mentioned Hanks as a dream guest star, but no casting announcement has confirmed that he has joined the series.
Has Elliot Page been confirmed for Black Doves Season 3?
No. Barton said Page emailed him after Season 1 to say he liked the show and noted that they had worked together before. That is not confirmation of a role.
What film did Elliot Page make with Joe Barton?
Page starred in My Days of Mercy, a romantic drama written by Barton and co-starring Kate Mara.
Has Netflix renewed Black Doves for Season 3?
Not in the latest reports checked for this article. The possibility of a third season has been discussed, but Netflix had not officially announced a renewal.
When could Black Doves Season 3 be released?
There is no confirmed release date because a third season has not been officially announced. Any release-window estimate would be speculation until Netflix confirms the show’s future.
Sources and Further Reading
- Esquire UK: Joe Barton reveals his dream Season 3 guest stars
- Esquire: Is Black Doves returning for Season 3?
- TV Insider: Black Doves Season 3 status and cast outlook
- Netflix Tudum: Black Doves Season 2 cast and series information
By Shivam Das
