The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of The Black Doves Characters

Netflix’s Black Doves isn’t just another spy thriller; it’s a study in what happens when people try to live double lives and everything inevitably goes wrong. Helen Webb, a government minister’s wife secretly working as a mercenary spy, is caught in a whirlwind of betrayal, murder, and conspiracies. The show pulls you into the chaos of her unraveling world, where loyalty and morality blur into survival instincts. It’s gripping, messy, and full of moments that make you wonder, “What would I do in her shoes?” In my case, Probably panic.

I loved this show, and would easily say it’s my favorite Netflix series of 2024. But it’s also a binge-watch show, so make sure you have plenty of time in your day when you start watching it!

What makes Black Doves so compelling isn’t just the plot twists or the high-stakes action—it’s the psychological depth of the characters. Everyone is fighting their own battles, carrying their own secrets, and trying to outrun the consequences of their choices. It’s the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just entertain but makes you reflect on the complexities of human nature. You’re left wondering how much someone can take before they break—or reinvent themselves entirely.

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The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of The Black Doves Characters

Helen Webb: ENTJ

“You’ve used the threat of violence against my family two times now. For the sake of your own personal well-being, I really wouldn’t again.”

Helen Webb shows the action-oriented, no-nonsense approach of the ENTJ personality type. She’s strategic, bold, and insightful; easily piecing together clues and jumping into action to achieve her next objective (or, in many cases, three objectives at a time). She’s managing a web of political intrigue, a mercenary spy career, and her family life without completely panicking – something I marveled at throughout the series. Her ability to assess situations quickly, strategize effectively, and keep moving under pressure is ENTJ thinking at its best.

It’s easy for Helen to come up with a plan; whether it means capturing Cole Atwood just in time or going after the head of a terrifying criminal organization. Jumping into action comes naturally to her and it’s easy for her to compartmentalize the many complex parts of her life to stay focused on the job that needs doing.

But Helen’s strength is also her struggle. ENTJs are notoriously focused on action and results, and Helen is no exception. She’s so busy keeping the plates spinning that she loses herself and her own sense of identity in the process. Her admission to Sam that she doesn’t know who she is anymore really captures what ENTJs can struggle with when they become overly fixated on the task and the roles required of them. Busy ENTJs tend to neglect their inner world (inferior Introverted Feeling) in favor of tackling the next big problem. Even in the most intense situations, like when she’s connecting clues to uncover vital information, her laser focus is undeniable. Yet there’s a vulnerability there—a deep care for her family, a longing to be honest for once, and a determination to protect the one she loves, no matter the cost.

Signs That Helen is an ENTJ:

• Strategic Thinking (Extraverted Thinking): Helen pieces together critical clues, like using Jason’s gift to trace evidence at the jewelry shop.
• Foresight (Introverted Intuition): She’s always looking ahead, planning not just for the next move but the outcome five steps later.
• Decisiveness: Whether it’s taking down an attacker or managing a high-stakes negotiation, Helen doesn’t hesitate when action is needed.
• Emotional Suppression (Inferior Introverted Feeling): She struggles to understand herself or to question the ethics of what she’s doing, losing herself in her work entirely.
• Leadership Under Pressure: Helen juggles multiple roles with competence and focus, refusing to let chaos derail her.

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Sam Young: ISFP

Sam Young shows the quiet, perceptive, emotionally complex nature of the ISFP personality type. He’s the kind of person who says little but shows his heart through his actions. He’s fiercely loyal, morally conflicted, and quietly carrying the weight of a life filled with impossible choices. On the surface, Sam presents a calm, mysterious exterior with a touch of charm, greeting Helen with his ever-present “Hello, darling,” as if murder plots and life-threatening chaos are just another Tuesday. But underneath that cool façade is a storm of deep emotion, regret, and a quiet longing to do what’s right—even when it costs him everything.

Sam’s decisions are driven by an internal code, one he’s constantly trying to uphold, even as it shatters him. His refusal to kill Hector as a child—despite the fallout that wrecked his life—stands as a rare moment of self-defined goodness in a career full of moral compromise. He clings to that moment as proof that he’s more than the sum of his mistakes. As an ISFP, Sam’s Introverted Feeling (Fi) dominates his worldview, pulling him toward actions that align with his deeply personal sense of right and wrong. But Fi is complicated—it’s not just about standing by your values; it’s about wrestling with them. That’s Sam. Every choice he makes is layered with emotion and a quiet resolve to protect the few people he truly loves, even at his own expense.

Signs That Sam is an ISFP:

• Introverted Feeling (Fi): Sam’s decisions are deeply personal, guided by his inner sense of morality, like when he refused to kill Hector as a child or sacrificed his future with Michael to protect Helen.
• Extroverted Sensing (Se): His quick reactions in high-stakes moments—like identifying threats or taking out enemies—show his ability to stay grounded and act decisively in the present.
• Loyalty to Values: Even when it costs him dearly, Sam sticks to his principles.
• Emotional Depth: Sam’s quiet demeanor belies a deeply emotional inner world, full of longing, regret, and love for those closest to him.
• Private Nature: Sam doesn’t express his feelings out loud and tends to give one word responses when asked about his relationships or feelings (unless Michael’s the one doing the asking). He largely copes with his feelings alone, diving deep into what they mean rather than hashing them out with other people. This is a sign of Introverted Feeling, the driving function of the ISFP.

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Mrs. Reed: INTJ

Mrs. Reed is the ultimate puppet master, always planning several moves ahead while everyone else is playing catch-up. Calm, composed, and razor-sharp, she exudes an air of quiet authority that makes you sit up straighter just watching her. Reed isn’t one to share personal details or get swept up in emotions; instead, she operates like a finely tuned machine, offering just enough insight to guide others without ever revealing the full scope of her plans. Whether she’s steering Helen through grief or managing the chaos of the Black Doves, Reed remains unshakable. She craves control and feels rattled when things feel out of control. But when calamity strikes, she never loses her focused, strategic outlook. Instead, she moves people like chess pieces while keeping her own motives carefully hidden.

Signs That Reed is an INTJ:

• Quietly perceptive. Reed doesn’t say something without thinking it through. Everything about her seems controlled and pre-planned; a sign of Introverted Intuition, paired with Extraverted Thinking.
• Reed doesn’t just spontaneously throw things together. She has a plan and tends to use people like chess pieces in order to reach her objectives.
• Decidedly unemotional. For Reed, everything in her life is transactional. She isn’t guided by her emotions or her values, but by the task and the bottom line. This is a quality that unhealthy TJ types can develop when they stay out of touch with their Introverted Feeling side.
• More Thought, Less Action. Unlike Helen, an ENTJ, Reed doesn’t get into the heat of the action. She’s the brain behind the Black Doves, the one doing the thinking, not the one actually getting into the field (although perhaps Season 2 will reveal more to her past). INTJs tend to be more about intellectual discovery and planning than they are about impulsively taking action or staying present in the moment. As introverts and intuitives every bit of information has to channel through their intuition before they can take action, and this means a more slow, deliberate pace.

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Williams: ESTP

Williams is the kind of assassin who could crack a joke mid-battle and still come out on top. Quick, confident, and utterly unphased by chaos, she thrives in high-pressure situations where others might crumble. She’s logical without overthinking, focused without being overly serious, and always ready to take decisive action when the moment calls for it. Williams doesn’t waste time with emotional introspection, but her dry humor and easygoing charm make her a surprising comic relief in the darker corners of Black Doves. She acts like nothing phases her, like nothing can get under her skin, but loneliness secretly torments her. Like many ESTPs, she tends to cover up her vulnerability with humor, competitiveness, or a “devil may care” persona, but deep down Williams really cares about the people in her life.

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Eleanor: ESTP or ENTP

Eleanor is a chaos magnet in the best way. Quick, funny, and impossibly calm under pressure, she’s a sharp assassin who debates the finer points of ratios mid-mission and keeps a rocket launcher in her closet like it’s no big deal. Whether she’s bickering with Williams over Sam’s survival odds or casually assessing Kai-Ming’s and Sam’s favorite Christmas movies, Eleanor’s humor cuts through the tension, making even the grimmest situations strangely entertaining.

The show doesn’t give us enough to definitively type her, but Eleanor’s quick thinking and improvisational skills lean ESTP or ENTP. She’s sharp, responsive, and endlessly curious, whether she’s asking if Kai-Ming is “fit” or flaunting a flashy kill mid-battle like a kid showing off a school project. Her humor, I think, is one of her way of staying grounded in a world that has been chaotic since childhood. Many ENTPs and ESTPs use humor as a coping mechanism, cracking jokes when life gets too tense and trying to find the humor in otherwise grim situations.

Lenny Liles: ESTJ

Lenny Liles doesn’t waste words or time. As the head of a network of assassins, she runs her operation with a sense of order and a commanding presence that demands respect. She’s blunt, no-nonsense, and always has a plan, whether she’s giving Sam another shot at redemption or unleashing Williams and Eleanor to ensure her orders are followed.

As an ESTJ, Lenny’s strengths lie in her decisiveness, efficiency, and ability to delegate. She’s not one for sentiment or small talk, but her sharp instincts and ability to control her network make her a formidable figure in Black Doves.

Michael: Introvert and Feeling Preferences

I’d like to say I know exactly what Michael’s personality preferences are, but there simply isn’t enough revealed about him in the series as of yet. We can see that he’s caring, heart-driven, and conscientious, leaning towards a Feeling preference. We can also see that he’s not particularly gregarious and talkative, but needs time to mull things over before making decisions. This makes me think he leans more towards introversion.  When Sam enters his life, he’s not happy with his immediate responses. He backtracks and asks for more information so he can make an informed decision. A part of him wants to stay with Sam, but another part knows he needs to look after himself and his daughter. His gentle, quiet nature and kindness definitely make me think he’s an Introvert and Feeling type, but which one I really couldn’t say at this point.

What Do You Think?

Did you enjoy Black Doves? Do you have any opinions on the characters, their choices, or their personality types? Share your thoughts with us and other readers in the comments!

Explore more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

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