Ridley Scott & Tom Hardy’s Taboo Is the Darkest Period Drama TV Has Ever Seen

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For the past twenty years, period dramas have often been known for their high production values and prestige. But when Tom Hardy’s series debuted on BBC One in January 2017, it deliberately went in a different direction – aiming for a raw and realistic feel. With Ridley Scott as executive producer, the showrunners wanted to bring something grittier to the genre, resulting in one of the darkest and most unusual historical dramas seen on television recently.

Now that more people are discovering Taboo on streaming services, it’s becoming clear how different it is from other shows in its genre. When it first came out, critics were comparing it to series it never aimed to be like. It’s now obvious that Taboo wasn’t trying to fit into those familiar patterns; it was trying to redefine what a historical drama could be.

Tom Hardy’s Taboo Blurs The Line Between Period Drama and Gothic Horror

Viewers who enjoy intense dramas will likely connect with Taboo. Tom Hardy consistently delivers powerful performances, and that’s certainly true in both this series and Peaky Blinders. He developed Taboo alongside his father and Ridley Scott, and the show prioritizes gripping storytelling over historical accuracy.

Historical dramas often face challenges, and this show is no different. Set in 1800s London, it centers on James Delaney, who returns from Africa to take back his family’s shipping business. Delaney is a complex character – not always pleasant – and his arrival is met with suspicion and whispers of dark secrets. He immediately makes those around him uneasy.

Taboo has a uniquely eerie and atmospheric quality that sets it apart from typical historical dramas. It prioritizes exploring the moral failings of its characters and the city they live in over strict historical detail. The story is heavily influenced by the whispers surrounding James Delaney and the strange powers attributed to him. It combines the expected themes of ruthless business with unsettling suggestions of ancient rituals and inherited family curses.

Delaney is the central figure in the story, and his erratic behavior fuels the plot and impacts everyone around him. He’s a reserved character, only speaking when he has to, and he’s most comfortable in bleak and shadowy environments. This makes him an ideal protagonist for exploring the darker side of London.

What sets the BBC series Taboo apart from other historical crime dramas is its unique style and atmosphere, largely thanks to Tom Hardy’s creative choices. The show’s main character is often compared to Sherlock Holmes, which gives you a good idea of what to expect. Hardy has explained that the show’s supernatural aspects were intentionally added to create a particular mood and to explore the inner struggles of the protagonist, Delaney.

Taboo Created a New Space for Historical Horror

Looking back, it’s clear that Taboo essentially invented its own style of historical crime drama. The show prioritized being shocking and unconventional over following typical formulas.

Taboo dives into the dark, criminal world of the genre, but without relying on typical tropes or offering easy comfort. The main character, Delaney, remains consistently ruthless and doesn’t experience any redeeming qualities. As the show gains more viewers online, it’s becoming known for being uniquely strange and different.

Viewers have been eagerly awaiting a second season, but it’s still uncertain if it will happen. Whether or not Tom Hardy reprises his role, Taboo demonstrates that there’s always potential for innovation and taking risks, even within well-known and respected types of storytelling.

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2026-04-18 23:37