Tom Hardy's historical drama Taboo has been hailed as one of the best BBC period dramas of all time. The eight-episode series, which first aired in 2017, was created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and his father Chips Hardy, based on a story by Tom and Chips. Alongside Hardy, the cast includes Leo Bill, Jessie Buckley, Oona Chaplin, Mark Gatiss, Tom Hollander, and Stephen Graham.
Critical and Fan Acclaim
One reviewer described the show as "freshly unique, gloriously offensive, and delightfully vicious with superb costume design, an unbelievably talented cast, and a riveting story that thrives on reeling its audience in." A fan called it "one of the best series of the last 20 years," while another praised the lead character: "This is a regency era crime thriller that's fuelled with vengeful spirits infesting a seasoned sailor on seas of life. He walks the streets, and death follows, known as the devil itself, Delaney is a character that was acted without a single break."
Plot and Reception
The series synopsis reads: "Adventurer James Keziah Delaney, long believed to be dead, returns home to London from Africa in 1814 in order to inherit his late father's shipping empire. All is not what it seems, however, as Delaney encounters numerous enemies intent on making his life back in the United Kingdom very difficult. Focused on building a shipping empire to rival the imperious East India Company, Delaney's other wish to seek vengeance for his father's death means conspiracy, betrayal and bloodshed are also in the cards."
Screen Rant highlighted Taboo in its listing of the "20 Best BBC Period Dramas Of All Time." The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes awarded the series an approval rating of 76%, with the critical consensus stating: "After a sluggish start, Taboo takes a hold as a mysterious, dark, and often brutal period drama with plenty of promise as a series – most notably Tom Hardy's exceptionally watchable performance."
Where to Watch
Taboo is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
