Taboo

Editor Reviews

• Xyla Merritt

  Rating: 5

  5

  May 17, 2025

  Step into the grime and shadows of 1814 London with Taboo, a series that drips with atmosphere and intrigue. At its heart is James Delaney, portrayed with captivating intensity by Tom Hardy, who also co-created the show with his father, Chips Hardy, and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Delaney returns from years presumed dead in Africa to claim his inheritance – a small, but strategically crucial, piece of land on the Nootka Sound. This sets him against the powerful East India Company and the British Crown, plunging him into a world of conspiracy, betrayal, and dark secrets. The show is a masterclass in mood, using stark visuals and a haunting score by Max Richter to create a truly immersive experience. Hardy's performance is a force of nature, embodying a man shaped by hardship and mystery. Did you know Hardy extensively researched the period and drew inspiration from figures like the explorer John Clunies-Ross? The series is a deep dive into the murky underbelly of historical power struggles, laced with hints of the supernatural and a raw, visceral energy that keeps you hooked.