Watch Taboo

Tom Hardy stars in Taboo, FX's dark and gritty period drama set in 19th century England. He plays James Delaney, a man who returns to London after being presumed dead for years. Delaney arrives back in England with a trunk full of stolen diamonds and a vendetta against the East India Company, the company responsible for many of his woes.

As the show progresses, viewers are introduced to a cast of characters with various motivations and schemes of their own. Oona Chaplin plays Zilpha Geary, James Delaney's half-sister and former lover. She's married to a wealthy merchant named Thorne Geary (Jefferson Hall), but her feelings for Delaney haven't completely dissipated.

David Hayman plays Brace, Delaney's trusted servant and confidante. Brace was also present when Delaney's mother passed away, which has left him haunted and tormented. Jonathan Pryce plays Sir Stuart Strange, a powerful and ruthless man who leads the East India Company with an iron fist. Other notable cast members include Franka Potente as Helga, the owner of a brothel, and Tom Hollander as George Cholmondeley, a chemist who is working on a new explosive that could change the face of warfare.

The show's setting is a bleak and barren London, plagued by disease and poverty. The visuals are grim and atmospheric, with an emphasis on muted colors and dimly-lit interiors. The contrast between the beauty of the natural landscape and the ugliness of the city is stark, and helps to highlight the show's themes of corruption, greed, and the struggle for power.

The show also features supernatural elements, with Delaney supposedly possessing dark powers that he inherited from his mother. This aspect of the show is subtle at first, but becomes more prominent as the season progresses. The mystery surrounding Delaney's past and his abilities keeps viewers on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.

The plot of Taboo is complex and multi-layered, with various factions vying for power and influence. Delaney's motives remain a mystery for much of the show, which adds to the intrigue. The characters are all flawed and morally ambiguous, making it difficult to know who to root for.

Despite the dark subject matter, the show has moments of humor and levity. Tom Hardy's performance as Delaney is a standout, with his gruff demeanor and intense stare lending weight and gravity to every scene he's in. The other actors all give strong performances as well, bringing their characters to life with nuance and depth.

Overall, Taboo is a gripping and atmospheric drama, with a strong cast and intriguing storyline. The show's blend of historical accuracy and supernatural elements makes for a unique viewing experience that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Highly recommended for fans of dark period dramas.

Taboo is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between January 10, 2017 and on FX