Taboo: Tom Hardy’s Best Historical TV Crime Thriller As A Lead Actor

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Although a scene featuring Tom Hardy in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie was removed, that’s not the only historical crime drama by Steven Knight where he’s been a lead actor. It’s been nine years since he last played the complex character James Delaney in Taboo, but the series still feels incredibly current and engaging.

This eight-part series has everything fans of Knight’s other shows expect – dark and atmospheric visuals, carefully crafted historical details, and a dramatic, gothic take on London’s criminal underworld. However, unlike Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness, Taboo is specifically set in London during the period when Britain was expanding its empire.

Tom Hardy delivers a standout TV performance as Delaney, a man who spent the last twelve years in West Africa, reportedly living with the Ashanti people in Ghana. The series Taboo opens with Delaney’s return to London, where he’s seen as an enigmatic and intimidating figure, seemingly unconcerned with conventional morality.

The story largely focuses on the main character’s interactions with the East India Company, a massively powerful corporation in the early 1800s. The Company often behaved much like London’s criminal gangs, except it had far greater power and control.

Taboo Is One Of Tom Hardy’s Best TV Shows

If you enjoy Tom Hardy, the work of Steven Knight, or stories about the British Empire, you won’t want to miss Taboo. It’s a gripping crime thriller where Hardy delivers a truly captivating and unpredictable performance.

James Delaney returns to London with an air of mysterious power, making his already intense personality even more striking. He’s a wild card in the ruthless world of British colonialism, commanding attention because he appears utterly fearless and capable of anything.

Delaney’s work brings attention to the most significant injustices of empire, revealing that they weren’t carried out by those on the ground – soldiers, merchants, or slave traders – but by the officials and politicians who held power behind the scenes. While the show Taboo simplifies historical events, it feels undeniably authentic.

As a film buff, I was completely captivated by how seamlessly this show mixes real history with fictional elements. Jonathan Pryce is absolutely chilling as Sir Stuart Strange, a character they created for the show, yet it all feels true to the overall historical context. But beyond that, it’s a stunning character study, and really showcases just how brilliant Tom Hardy can be. It’s a special piece of work, honestly.

Will Taboo Season 2 Ever Happen?

Although a second season of Taboo was initially planned soon after the first, development hasn’t happened in nearly ten years. As a result, fans are beginning to think the show may never return.

Recently, Steven Knight shared encouraging news about a potential second season of Taboo. He confirmed in January 2026 that he and Tom Hardy have already planned the direction of the new season, but its progress is currently delayed due to their demanding schedules.

It’s unclear if the creators of Taboo will be able to make another season, given their busy schedules. However, their enthusiasm for continuing the story offers a hopeful sign. If they’re determined, they’ll likely find a way.

Many viewers believe there’s still a lot of story to tell with James Delaney. Tom Hardy’s complex and fascinating character is worth revisiting, and the show Taboo continues to be praised even almost ten years after it first came out.

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2026-04-02 02:38