Knightley's first role of the decade was feminist activist Sally Alexander in "Misbehaviour" (2020), a film about the crowning of the first black contestant at the 1970 Miss World competition. The film discusses the nuances of intersectionality in second wave feminism; Knightley was drawn to the political aspects of the project. "Misbehavior" was received positively, with "Variety"'s Guy Lodge dubbing Knightly "likable as ever" but admitted she portrays "the least intriguing figure". Knightley was due to produce and star in "The Essex Serpent", an Apple TV+ adaptation of Sarah Perry's novel, but dropped out over concerns about access to childcare during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knightley is set to star in the upcoming holiday comedy "Silent Night", as well as an adaptation of Ann Leckie's sci-fi novel "Ancillary Justice".