Created by Steven Knight alongside actor Tom Hardy and his father, Chips Hardy, Taboo is a bold and atmospheric British drama that first aired in 2017 on BBC One and FX. Set in 1814, the series follows James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy), a mysterious man long thought dead, who returns to London to reclaim his late father’s legacy and confront a corrupt world teeming with greed, espionage, and imperial ambition.
Darkly cinematic and steeped in moral ambiguity, Taboo explores the underbelly of British society during the height of colonial power. Delaney’s inheritance — a disputed piece of land critical to global trade — places him at odds with the British Crown, the East India Company, and American spies, all vying for control.
Tom Hardy delivers a brooding, magnetic performance, supported by a strong cast including Oona Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce, and Stephen Graham. The show’s moody visuals, intense score by Max Richter, and sharp political subtext elevate it beyond the typical historical drama.
Critically praised for its ambition and atmosphere, Taboo was renewed for a second season, though production has been delayed due to Hardy’s schedule. With six episodes already scripted, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this gothic tale of revenge and power.