Taboo (2017)
A brooding, atmospheric period thriller starring Tom Hardy as a dangerous man who returns to 1814 London to claim his inheritance and settle old scores.
Taboo - Series Information
- Original Title: Taboo
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Created by: Steven Knight, Chips Hardy et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 7, 2017 (United States - TV-MA), January 7, 2017 (Canada - 14+), January 7, 2017 (United Kingdom - 18), January 7, 2017 (Germany - 16), January 7, 2017 (France - 12), January 7, 2017 (India - U/A 16+), January 7, 2017 (Australia - MA15+), January 7, 2017 (Brazil - 16), January 7, 2017 (Mexico - C), January 7, 2017 (Italy - VM14), January 7, 2017 (Spain - 18), January 7, 2017 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: 禁忌 (CN), 死亡禁忌 (TW), Tabu (TR), 터부 (KR), Табу (RU)
- Production Companies: Hardy Son & Baker, Scott Free Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Taboo - Plot
Adventurer James Keziah Delaney returns to London from Africa in 1814 along with fourteen stolen diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father.
Taboo - Trailer
See the dark world of James Keziah Delaney come to life in the official trailer:
Where to Watch Taboo
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Taboo - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Steven Knight
- Chips Hardy
- Tom Hardy
Main Cast
- Tom Hardy
- David Hayman
- Jonathan Pryce
- Oona Chaplin
- Richard Dixon
- Leo Bill
- Edward Hogg
- Jessie Buckley
- Stephen Graham
- Michael Kelly
Writers
- Steven Knight
- Chips Hardy
- Ben Hervey
Executive Producers
- Kate Crowe
- Tom Lesinski
- Tom Hardy
- Steven Knight
- Stewart Till
Taboo - FAQs
Where can you stream Taboo online?
Taboo is available to stream free with ads on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The CW, Plex, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. It can also be streamed on Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus, or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Will Taboo ever return for a second season?
A second season of Taboo has been long discussed by Tom Hardy and Steven Knight, with both expressing intent to continue the story. However, as of 2025, no official production start date has been confirmed, and the series remains in a prolonged development limbo despite years of optimistic statements from its creators.
Is Taboo based on a true story?
Taboo is not based on a specific true story. The character of James Keziah Delaney is fictional, though the series is rooted in the real historical context of early 19th-century London, the East India Company's power, the War of 1812, and the transatlantic slave trade, lending it a strong sense of period authenticity.
Who are the main actors in Taboo?
Taboo stars Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney, alongside David Hayman, Jonathan Pryce, Oona Chaplin, Jessie Buckley, Stephen Graham, and Michael Kelly. The ensemble cast also includes Leo Bill, Edward Hogg, and Richard Dixon in key supporting roles.
What is Taboo the TV series about?
Taboo follows James Keziah Delaney, a brooding adventurer who returns to 1814 London from Africa carrying stolen diamonds after his father's death. He finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of corruption, conspiracy, and colonial power as he battles the East India Company and the Crown to claim his inheritance.
How many episodes does Taboo have?
Taboo consists of 8 episodes across its single season, which aired in 2017. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes. The season is titled Series 1 and tells a complete story arc, though it was designed as the first chapter of a larger planned narrative.
Did Taboo win any awards or critical acclaim?
Taboo received strong critical praise for Tom Hardy's commanding performance, Max Richter's atmospheric score, and its brooding visual style. The series earned BAFTA nominations and was recognized for its production design. Critics lauded its bold, unconventional take on the period drama genre, though some noted its deliberately slow pacing.
Who created and wrote the Taboo series?
Taboo was created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and Chips Hardy. The writing team included Steven Knight, Chips Hardy, and Ben Hervey. Executive producers include Ridley Scott, Tom Hardy, Steven Knight, and Dean Baker, with Hardy Son & Baker and Scott Free Productions serving as production companies.
More About Taboo
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