Taboo: The Gritty Period Drama Peaky Blinders Fans Should Discover On Netflix

If you loved the dark atmosphere, ruthless characters and morally complicated world of Peaky Blinders, Taboo offers another period drama that takes a similarly unforgiving look at power, crime and survival.

The eight-part series, starring Tom Hardy, transports viewers to 19th-century London, where a man presumed dead returns home after more than a decade in Africa and immediately finds himself caught in a dangerous struggle involving powerful political and commercial forces.

Originally broadcast on BBC One in 2017, Taboo has developed a devoted following of its own. The series currently holds a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers continuing to praise its performances, atmosphere and unusual approach to historical drama.

All eight episodes are now available to stream on Netflix.

Tom Hardy Returns To A Dark And Dangerous London

Hardy plays James Keziah Delaney, an adventurer and businessman who returns to England in 1814 after spending 12 years in Africa.

His homecoming follows the death of his father, but returning to London proves far more complicated than simply reclaiming his inheritance.

The city Delaney encounters is dark, corrupt and dominated by rival interests. As he attempts to establish himself, he becomes drawn into a dangerous power struggle involving the East India Company, while also confronting enemies who have their own reasons for wanting him gone.

Set against the aftermath of Britain’s war with the United States, the series explores a London shaped by political ambition, criminal networks and stark divisions between social classes.

James is forced to navigate this world while attempting to build his own future — and his increasingly dangerous plans make him a target for some of the most powerful people around him.

A Period Drama With A Distinctly Dark Atmosphere

Created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy and Chips Hardy, Taboo combines historical drama with psychological thriller elements.

The series was conceived as a deliberately grim vision of Imperial London, with its setting playing an important role in creating the mood. Its streets, buildings and shadowy interiors give the story a bleak, oppressive quality that complements James Delaney’s increasingly complicated situation.

That atmosphere has been one of the show’s most frequently praised qualities.

Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Taboo with a 91% audience score, while its critics’ consensus describes the series as a mysterious, dark and often brutal period drama, particularly highlighting Hardy’s performance.

For viewers who enjoy period dramas that are less concerned with romance and more interested in conspiracy, violence and political manoeuvring, Taboo offers a very different experience.

An Ensemble Cast Packed With Familiar Faces

Hardy is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including Jessie Buckley, Oona Chaplin and Stephen Graham.

Buckley plays Lorna Delaney, the widow of James’s father, while Chaplin portrays Zilpha, James’s half-sister.

Stephen Graham appears as Atticus, an informant who becomes connected to the complicated network surrounding James.

The ensemble helps give the series a sense of scale, with characters from different parts of London’s social and criminal worlds constantly colliding.

Hardy’s James remains at the centre of it all. He is mysterious, unpredictable and clearly changed by his years away from England, making his motivations difficult for both his allies and enemies to understand.

FX’s official material identifies Hardy not only as the lead actor but also as a creator and executive producer, while Steven Knight is credited as creator, writer and executive producer.

Viewers Have Called It “Weird” — And Completely Entertaining

The series divided some critics, but its audience response has remained notably strong.

One viewer described Taboo as “Brilliant stuff,” praising the script, casting, acting and direction. Another called it “weird and immensely entertaining,” while another described the show as dark, unusual and highly watchable.

Other fans have singled out the writing, performances and story as reasons they consider the series one of the strongest dramas they have watched in years.

The setting has also proved particularly important to its appeal. Viewers have praised the gritty depiction of 19th-century London, with the locations and atmosphere helping create a world that feels distinctive rather than simply serving as a backdrop for the plot.

For fans of Peaky Blinders, that combination of period setting, criminal intrigue, violence and complex characters may be particularly appealing.

The Story Goes Beyond A Simple Revenge Tale

At the beginning of the series, James returns to London with a clear purpose: to deal with his father’s estate and establish control over what has been left behind.

But the situation quickly becomes more complicated.

His ambitions bring him into conflict with the East India Company, while political interests and personal rivalries begin closing in around him.

As the story develops, James finds himself navigating multiple threats at once. His enemies are not confined to one criminal organisation or political faction, and his own past remains an important part of the mystery surrounding him.

The result is a story built around conspiracy, betrayal, ambition and revenge, with James repeatedly forced to make dangerous choices to protect his plans.

The eight episodes gradually expand the conflict, moving James deeper into a world where almost every alliance comes with a price.

Taboo Earned Two Primetime Emmy Nominations

The series also received recognition for its technical achievements.

Taboo earned two Primetime Emmy nominations in 2017: one for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) for composer Max Richter, and another for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role. The Television Academy confirms both nominations for the first episode.

Richter’s score became an important part of the show’s identity, complementing the bleak visual style and adding to the sense of unease surrounding James’s return.

The series also received further industry recognition, including nominations connected to its cinematography, costume design and visual effects.

Could There Still Be More Of James Delaney’s Story?

For years, fans have remained interested in the possibility of a second season of Taboo.

A continuation has been widely anticipated, but there has been no official announcement confirming a second season at the time of the original article.

For now, viewers can return to the complete first season and follow James Delaney from his mysterious return to London through the increasingly dangerous conflicts that follow.

With its combination of Tom Hardy’s central performance, a grim historical setting, political intrigue, criminal power struggles and an unusually dark atmosphere, Taboo remains an intriguing choice for anyone looking for a period drama with a harder edge.

All eight episodes of Taboo are now available to watch on Netflix.