A comeback for a cult crime drama
Nine years after its BBC debut, Taboo — the brooding, single-season crime drama starring Tom Hardy and produced by Ridley Scott — has quietly re-emerged on streaming charts. The period series, which first aired in 2017, recently climbed to third place on France’s iTunes in-demand list, a reminder that its blend of atmosphere, mystery and a magnetic central performance still resonates with global audiences.
What makes Taboo stand out
Taboo is not a typical prestige show. It’s a dark, slow-burning period piece set in 1814 London, built around mood as much as plot. Its strengths include:
- Tom Hardy’s intensely physical and often silent performance as James Keziah Delaney.
- A dense atmosphere of conspiracy, revenge and imperial-era intrigue that rewards repeat viewing.
- High production values and the involvement of established names — notably producer Ridley Scott and creator Steven Knight — that give it an auteur feel despite being a compact, single-season story.
Those elements helped Taboo earn strong audience support (reported at 91%) and respectable critical approval (reported at 76%), along with at least one Emmy nomination for Season 1.
From Black Hawk Down to Taboo: Hardy and Scott’s partnership
Tom Hardy’s working relationship with Ridley Scott stretches back to Hardy’s feature-film debut in Black Hawk Down (2001). That early collaboration foreshadowed later projects, but it wasn’t until 2017 that they reunited on Taboo, with Scott in a producing role. The pairing helped position the series as cinematic television — a quality that continues to draw viewers in the streaming era.
The premise in brief
Taboo follows James Keziah Delaney, a man long believed dead who returns from Africa to London in 1814 to inherit his father’s shipping empire. Delaney’s motives are mixed: he seeks to expand a rival shipping operation in the face of the East India Company and to discover the truth behind his father’s death. The path to those goals is paved with betrayal, violence and precarious alliances, forcing Delaney to navigate a hostile, corrupt Britain while surviving attempts on his life.
Cast, creators and critical reception
- Creators: Steven Knight, Tom Hardy and Chips Hardy (Tom’s father).
- Notable cast: Tom Hardy, Jessie Buckley, Oona Chaplin, Stephen Graham, Jonathan Pryce, with supporting players rounding out a cast that added depth and menace to the world Knight created.
- Recognition: Season 1 received an Emmy nomination and solid viewer ratings, which helped cement its reputation as a standout single-season drama.
Where to watch Taboo now
In the United States, Taboo is available on several free and subscription platforms as well as for purchase:
- Streaming: Pluto TV, Tubi, Peacock.
- Digital storefronts: Amazon, Apple TV. Its recent climb on iTunes in France shows the series still finds new and returning audiences in international markets, even nearly a decade after first airing.
The long road to Season 2
Taboo was officially renewed for a second season in March 2017, shortly after the first season concluded. However, production on Season 2 has been delayed for years. Much of that pause has been attributed to the busy schedules of the show’s principal creators and lead actor — Tom Hardy has gone on to headline major film projects, including the Venom films and other high-profile productions.
Steven Knight has confirmed that conversations about a second season have resumed, telling reporters that he and Hardy “have talked about it, and I think we know what we would do.” He added that the challenge is simply “finding the space” to make it happen and that demand for more Taboo is strong, particularly in the U.S. Beyond those comments, there is no announced release date for Season 2.
Why audiences keep coming back
Taboo’s resurgence on streaming charts underlines how certain shows can grow into cult favorites:
- Distinctive lead performance: Tom Hardy’s commitment to the role gives the series a magnetic center.
- Standalone completeness with open threads: Season 1 reads as a self-contained story yet leaves enough unresolved narrative energy to fuel speculation and demand for continuation.
- Period atmosphere and thematic relevance: Its exploration of empire, power and personal revenge continues to feel resonant to modern viewers.
What to expect going forward
Fans eager for Season 2 will likely have to remain patient. Production requires alignment of schedules among the show’s creative team and lead actors, and while the creative intent appears intact, logistical realities have delayed the follow-up. In the meantime, Taboo’s renewed popularity on streaming platforms highlights its staying power and the appetite for gritty, character-driven historical crime drama.
If you haven’t seen it, now is a good time to watch — and if you’re a returning viewer, its climb back into the spotlight suggests many others are rediscovering James Keziah Delaney’s grim, compelling world.