Clarks and Newmans in Black Doves: Crime Families Explained, and How Their Conflict Shapes Season One

Two London crime organizations

The Clarks and Newmans operate separately in London in Black Doves. The Newmans appear first in a flashback to Sam’s earlier work as an assassin.

Hector and Sam’s unfinished past

Sam chose not to kill Hector because he was a child, a decision that violated none of Sam’s moral code. Sam then left the assassin business and London for seven years.

When Sam returns, Lenny orders him to finish the job. Hector has since expanded a profitable drug operation, but his position weakens after the Clarks kill dozens of his men while searching for Kai-Ming, Ambassador Chen’s daughter.

The Clark family’s reach

The Clarks are a larger criminal organization, with international connections that include the United States. Alex Clark leads the family, and her son Trent is expected to succeed her, though he has little standing within the organization.

Trent’s actions set off much of the season’s violence. He accidentally kills Ambassador Chen and hires assassin Elmore Fitch to kill Jason; other deaths linked to the unfolding events include Maggie, Phillip and Stephen Yarrick. Alex tells Helen she had no role in Jason’s death.

Helen and Sam drawn in

Helen Webb is a public figure and the wife of politician Wallace Webb, but she also works as a secret agent for the Black Doves. Reed leads the covert organization and confronts Helen about her affair with civil servant Jason, who was shot dead in a park.

Reed suspects Helen may be endangered by a criminal conspiracy associated with the Clarks and enlists Sam to help. At season’s end, Hector asks to join forces with Michael and offers Sam a job, while thanking him for killing his brothers.