Taboo (2017)

Taboo (2017) — Set in 1814, this dark, slow-burning drama-thriller follows James Keziah Delaney, a haunted adventurer who returns to London from Africa to claim the strange legacy his deceased father left him: ownership of a valuable patch of land on the Pacific coast (Nootka Sound). Once home, Delaney walks into a web of conspiracies—ruthless rivals at the East India Company, scheming agents of the Crown, and an America at war with Britain—all of whom want his inheritance and are willing to kill for it. Watching Taboo you’ll experience a brooding, atmospheric ride: fog-bound streets, grimy docks, and richly textured period detail that underscore a world of commerce, corruption and empire. The series is equal parts family mystery, political intrigue and personal vendetta—filled with whispered plots, sudden violence, and a pervasive sense that everyone has secrets. Tom Hardy’s intense lead performance anchors the show as a man shaped by trauma and extremes, sometimes speaking softly, at other times exploding into terrifying action. Tonally the series is gothic and uncompromising—slow to reveal answers but constantly escalating the stakes. Expect tense confrontations, brutal fight sequences, courtroom-style maneuvering, and a paranoia-laced atmosphere where alliances shift and loyalties are never safe. The storytelling leans into moral ambiguity: Delaney is alternately sympathetic and frightening, and the line between justice and vengeance is often blurred. If you watch Taboo you’ll get a moody historical thriller with dense plotting, striking visuals, and an unsettling, almost mythic quality. It’s best for viewers who like deliberate pacing, complex antiheroes, and stories about empire, power and blood-soaked family legacies. Content warning: graphic violence, bleak themes and disturbing moments—recommended for mature audiences.

Actors: Tom Hardy, David Hayman, Jonathan Pryce

Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

8.3 /10 8.3 /10