The eight-episode period drama Taboo, starring Tom Hardy, continues to be a focal point for fans of gritty historical fiction. The series, often regarded as a spiritual successor to Peaky Blinders, is seeing renewed interest as development on its long-awaited second season finally shows signs of progress.
Co-created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and his father, Chips Hardy, the series debuted in 2017 as a joint venture between Scott Free London and Hardy’s production company, Hardy Son & Baker. While it shares the dark, atmospheric tone of Knight’s other famous work, Taboo is a standalone narrative set in 1814 London rather than a direct sequel to the Shelby family saga. The story follows James Keziah Delaney, played by Hardy, who returns to England from Africa to rebuild his father’s shipping empire while navigating a dangerous conflict with the powerful East India Company.
Season 2 Development and Script Progress
Significant production updates for the series have emerged for the first time in nearly a decade. In early 2026, creator Steven Knight confirmed that he and Hardy have established a concrete plan for a second season. Knight revealed that six of the eight scripts for the next chapter have already been written, signaling that the project is no longer in the conceptual phase.
The delay in returning to the world of Taboo has been largely attributed to the packed schedules of its lead actor and creator. Hardy recently starred in the series MobLand throughout 2025 and 2026, while Knight has been occupied with the Peaky Blinders feature film, The Immortal Man, which is currently slated for a 2027 release. However, reports suggest that Hardy’s filming window may be opening up, potentially allowing production on the Delaney storyline to resume after a nine-year hiatus.
Production Pedigree and Tone
Executive produced by Ridley Scott through Scott Free Productions, Taboo is noted for its gothic portrayal of Regency-era London, trading the industrial gangland setting of Birmingham for the murky docks and political backrooms of the early 19th century. The series was praised upon its initial release for its uncompromising violence and Hardy’s central performance as the enigmatic and often brutal Delaney.
The series remains a staple of the period drama genre, with interest revitalized ahead of the eventual Season 2 production start.
