Peaky Blinders fans are rediscovering this dark Tom Hardy period drama on Netflix
If you finished Peaky Blinders and are looking for another period drama with ruthless characters, political intrigue and a grim vision of 19th-century London, Taboo is well worth putting on your watchlist.
The eight-part drama stars Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney, an adventurer who returns to London in 1814 after spending 12 years in Africa. What begins as a homecoming following his father’s death soon develops into a dangerous battle involving the East India Company, rival interests and the corrupt world surrounding London’s elite.
First broadcast on BBC One in 2017, Taboo has built a devoted audience over the years. Its bleak atmosphere, distinctive visual style and Hardy’s intense central performance have helped the series develop a reputation as one of the more unusual British period dramas of recent years.
Netflix currently lists Taboo among its titles, although availability varies by country.
Tom Hardy leads a dangerous return to 1814 London
The series follows James Keziah Delaney, a man who has been presumed dead after years away from England.
When he returns to London after his father’s death, he discovers that the inheritance awaiting him is far more complicated than expected. His father’s legacy puts him on a collision course with powerful enemies, while James is determined to protect what has been left to him.
The official FX description presents Delaney as a man transformed by his experiences abroad. He comes home to reclaim what remains of his father’s shipping empire, only to find himself surrounded by people with their own interests in his inheritance.
Set against London in the aftermath of Britain’s conflict with the United States, the drama plunges James into a city marked by poverty, corruption and organised crime.
As he attempts to establish himself, he becomes caught in a much larger struggle involving the East India Company. Conspiracy, betrayal and violence increasingly surround him, turning his return home into a fight for survival.
A grim, atmospheric period drama
Taboo takes a deliberately dark approach to its historical setting.
Rather than presenting 19th-century London as a polished period-piece backdrop, the series focuses on its more threatening and brutal side. The result is a world filled with political manoeuvring, criminal networks and powerful institutions competing for control.
That tone has been one of the show’s defining features.
Rotten Tomatoes currently records a 76% critics’ score and a 91% audience score for the first season. Its critics’ consensus describes the series as a mysterious, dark and often brutal period drama, while particularly highlighting Hardy’s performance.
The series was created by Steven Knight with Tom Hardy and his father, Chips Hardy. Knight also wrote the first season, which consists of eight episodes. FX describes the show as another collaboration between Knight and Hardy following Locke and Peaky Blinders.
That connection to Peaky Blinders is one reason Taboo remains an obvious choice for viewers who enjoy crime dramas with a historical setting.
The supporting cast is packed with familiar faces
Hardy is joined by a strong ensemble cast.
Jessie Buckley plays Lorna Delaney, the widow of James’s father, while Oona Chaplin portrays Zilpha, James’s half-sister. Stephen Graham also appears as Atticus, an informant.
The wider cast includes Jonathan Pryce, Leo Bill, David Hayman, Michael Kelly, Jefferson Hall, Tom Hollander and Mark Gatiss.
The performances are a major part of the show’s appeal. Hardy’s James Delaney sits at the centre of the story, but the surrounding characters give the series much of its unpredictable and often unsettling atmosphere.
Viewers have continued to praise the series
Taboo received a positive response from many viewers, particularly for its writing, performances, direction and setting.
One audience member praised the script written by Tom Hardy and his father, along with the casting, acting and directing.
Another described the show as “Weird and immensely entertaining.”
A separate viewer called it “Dark, deranged, and entirely watchable!”
Other audience reactions have focused on the atmosphere of the drama. One fan described Taboo as “one of the best series of the last 20 years”, praising its writing, acting and story.
Another highlighted its gritty depiction of 19th-century London, saying the setting and atmosphere made the series especially compelling alongside its plot.
Rotten Tomatoes’ audience reviews show that the series continues to generate discussion years after its original release, with viewers offering very different reactions to its deliberately dark style.
Taboo also earned two Emmy nominations
The series’ technical work received recognition as well.
Taboo earned two Primetime Emmy nominations, including one for Max Richter’s score in the Outstanding Music Composition for a Series category and another for its visual effects.
Richter’s music is particularly important to the show’s identity, helping reinforce the tense and unsettling tone that runs through the story.
Will Taboo return for season two?
The first season ended with plenty of room for the story to continue, and speculation about a second series has persisted for years.
A follow-up season remains highly anticipated, but there has been no official announcement confirming its release.
For now, the existing eight episodes remain the complete first season. Rotten Tomatoes lists the series as having one released season, while FX continues to feature Taboo among its current show pages.
For anyone coming to Taboo after Peaky Blinders, the two shows share Steven Knight, Tom Hardy and a fascination with morally complicated characters operating in violent historical worlds. But Taboo has its own identity, leaning much further into mystery, psychological darkness and the strange world surrounding James Delaney.
If that combination of period drama, crime, revenge and brooding atmosphere sounds appealing, Taboo offers eight episodes to dive into.
Watch the trailer