Eight years after its BBC One premiere, the Tom Hardy TV thrillerTaboohas been resurrected for a second season. Hardy confirmed as much in March 2025, hinting at a few exciting new details as the period drama enters development. The historical fiction story concernsJames Delaney (Hardy), an entrepreneurial explorer returning to England following an extended stay in Africa, where he finds stark socioeconomic changes.
Although it’s uncommon for a TV show to return seven years after debuting, Hardy remains as involved inTaboo’s second season as in the first. Remember, Hardy wrote the story with his father, Chips Hardy, giving theVenomactor more responsibility and authority over whereTaboogoes from here. While unlikely to hit the small screen anytime soon, it’s time to drum up fervent enthusiasm forTabooSeason 2 by highlighting all the key facts about the show’s return.
What Was ‘Taboo’ Season 1 About?
Before previewing Season 2, it’s worth contextualizingTaboo’s first season.Taboowas created by Steven Knight, who worked with Tom Hardy on theunderrated 2013 movieLockeand the hit British gangster dramaPeaky Blinders. Working from a story by Tom and Chips Hardy,Taboofocuses on James Keziah Delaney, an unscrupulous explorer, adventurer, and capitalistic opportunist who returns to England to attend his father Horace’s (Edward Fox) funeral.
Long thought to be dead, James returns after spending a decade in Africa and learnshe has inherited Nootka Sound, a parcel of land off the United States' west coast. Although the East India Company proposes to purchase Nootka Sound, James' half-sister/lover Zilpha (Oona Chaplin) holds out, knowing that the land will increase in value soon, once the War of 1812 ends.
Tom Hardy Says ‘Taboo’ Season 2 is in Development
Hardy doubled down one day later and assured fans thatTaboowould come when ready and would not be rushed to satisfy viewers. Hardy’s comments confirmKnight’s discussion of Season 2 with Collider,with the showrunner promising that “six of the eight [episodes] are written.”
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As much as Tom Hardy stands tall and strong as a fantastic film actor, it would not hurt to dive into the equally enthralling television roles.
‘Taboo’ Remains a Personal Project for Hardy
For Hardy, the appeal of Taboo goes back to writing with his father, an intimate and personal affair representing quality over quantity.Speaking withMovieWeb, Hardy stated:
“So, Taboo is something that’s for me and my family and Steven. It’s something we wanted to take time to do properly.”
“I’ve been working for the last seven years on Venom, so it had to take a little bit of a backseat, but it’s something that I’m very passionate about. So when I have the space properly to commit, I’d revisit it properly. So it’s never been something that we didn’t want to do.It’s a question of when, and doing it properly.”
“Properly” is the operative word Hardy uttered thrice, reinforcing the desire to craft a durable TV series that will withstand time. Refreshingly,Tabooharks back to the days of appointment viewing, when television episodes were must-see events rather than bingeworthy programs loaded with formulaic filler. Such TV shows are often canceled before running their course, robbing viewers of a fully fleshed-out story.
Honestly, more TV showrunners should take the time to craft more compelling stories from beginning to end rather than rushing a product to meet a release date. By prioritizing quality over quantity, viewers and streamers would benefit.
‘Taboo’ Season 2 Plot, Cast & Release Date
While details remain shrouded,TabooSeason 2 will continue James Delaney’s business exploits in London during the 19th century following the War of 1812. Season 1 concludes with Delaney fatally avenging East India Company Chair Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce) by planting a bomb nearby. Meanwhile, Horace’s loyal servant, Brace (David Hayman), escapes captivity and plans on using evidence to expose the East India Company’s shady business operations.
Given what transpires in Season 1, Jonathan Pryce will not return inTabooSeason 2. Unless seen in flashbacks, neither will Oona Chaplin, whose character Zilpha took her own life by leaping into the River Thames. James Delaney must deal with his half-sister-and-lover’s suicide in Season 2 after reeling in despair over the discovery in the Season 1 finale.
Furthermore,Taboo’s first season killed off Winter (Ruby-May Martinwood), the daughter of brothel owner Helga (Franka Potente), and East India Company employee Benjamin Wilton (Leo Bill). As such, Bill and Martinwood are not expected to star inTabooSeason 2.There is no telling exactly whenthe highly-rated period TV dramawill release new episodes.
Although new cast additions have yet to be announced,TabooSeason 2 will mirror Season 1 by giving viewers eight episodes. Surviving characters like Horace’s widow Lorna (Jessie Buckley), Zilpha’s husband Thorne (Jefferson Hall), James Delaney’s son Robert (Louis Ashbourne Serkis), James' informant Atticus (Stephen Graham), and others are bound to play key roles ahead.
