The 2017 BBC and FX series Taboo brought together a powerful team of actors to tell the story of James Keziah Delaney, a man returning to 1814 London after spending years in Africa. Created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and his father Chips Hardy, the show quickly became known for its dark atmosphere, intense performances, and a cast filled with familiar faces from both British and international cinema.
Now, with the series available on BBC iPlayer and streaming platforms, audiences continue to discover the talented group of actors who brought this gritty world to life. From the lead role played by Tom Hardy to the supporting characters who added depth to the story, each performer contributed to making Taboo a memorable piece of television.
The Leading Man: Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney
At the center of Taboo is Tom Hardy, who plays James Keziah Delaney. Hardy, known for his work in Peaky Blinders, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Revenant, takes on the role of a man believed dead who returns to London after his father’s passing. James inherits a piece of land called Nootka Sound, which becomes the center of a fight between the East India Company, the British Crown, and the United States.
Hardy’s character is shaped by his time in Africa, and the show reveals his brutal past through flashbacks and hints of cannibalism, witchcraft, and violence. The actor’s performance shows James as a man of few words but immense presence, someone who communicates more through silence and stares than long speeches. Hardy worked closely with creator Steven Knight on the character, with Knight telling Collider that the initial idea was “an adventure for a character who came back to England to seek revenge.”
The Main Cast and Their Characters
Jonathan Pryce as Sir Stuart Strange
Jonathan Pryce, who has appeared in Game of Thrones, The Crown, and Pirates of the Caribbean, plays Sir Stuart Strange, the Chairman of the East India Company. Strange serves as the main antagonist of the series, representing the corporate greed and political corruption of early 19th-century Britain. Pryce’s character is ruthless, calculating, and determined to get his hands on Delaney’s land by any means necessary.
Oona Chaplin as Zilpha Geary
Oona Chaplin, known for her role as Talisa Stark in Game of Thrones, plays Zilpha Geary, James’s half-sister. The relationship between James and Zilpha is one of the most complicated aspects of the show, with hints of a past romantic connection that continues to affect both characters. Zilpha is married to Thorne Geary, played by Jefferson Hall, and finds herself torn between her loyalty to her husband and her complicated feelings for her brother.
Stephen Graham as Atticus
Stephen Graham, who recently gained attention for his role in Adolescence and has appeared in Peaky Blinders and The Irishman, plays Atticus. His character becomes an informant for James Delaney, helping him navigate the criminal underworld of London. Graham brings a sharp wit and street-smart energy to the role, making Atticus one of the more memorable characters in the series.
Jessie Buckley as Lorna Delaney
Jessie Buckley plays Lorna Bow, an actress who claims she was married to James’s father, Horace Delaney. After Horace’s death, Lorna arrives to claim her share of the inheritance, putting her in direct contact with James. Buckley, who has since appeared in Fargo, Chernobyl, and films like The Lost Daughter, brings a strong presence to the role, showing Lorna as someone who can hold her own in a world filled with dangerous men.
Tom Hollander as George Cholmondeley
Tom Hollander, known for The White Lotus, Mission: Impossible films, and Bohemian Rhapsody, plays George Cholmondeley, a chemist who becomes an ally to James. Cholmondeley is an unpredictable character who enjoys using his own laughing gas supplies and helps James with plans involving gunpowder and explosives. Hollander’s performance adds moments of dark humor to the otherwise grim series.
Mark Gatiss as Prince George
Mark Gatiss, co-creator of Sherlock and known for playing Mycroft Holmes, appears as Prince George, the Prince Regent who takes over royal duties while his father King George III suffers from mental illness. Gatiss portrays the Prince as a scheming figure who plays political games with the East India Company and the Crown.
Supporting Cast Who Added Depth to the Story
The supporting cast of Taboo brought additional layers to the narrative. David Hayman played Brace, Horace Delaney’s loyal servant who helps James after his return. Franka Potente appeared as Helga von Hinten, a brothel madam with connections to James’s past. Michael Kelly, known for House of Cards, played Edgar Dumbarton, an American physician who secretly works as a spy.
Jason Watkins took on the role of Solomon Coop, the private secretary to the Crown who helps Prince George with his scheming. Edward Hogg played Michael Godfrey, a records officer with the East India Company who gets caught between his employers and James Delaney. Leo Bill appeared as Benjamin Wilton, another East India Company employee who serves as a constant presence throughout James’s conflicts with the organization.
Nicholas Woodeson played Robert Thoyt, Delaney’s solicitor who tries to navigate the legal troubles surrounding Horace’s will. Lucian Msamati appeared as George Chichester, a lawyer with the Sons of Africa who investigates the sinking of a slave ship connected to James’s past. Marina Hands played Countess Musgrove, also known as Carlsbad, an American spymaster operating in London.
Where to Watch Taboo Now
The complete eight-episode first season of Taboo is currently available to stream. BBC iPlayer offers the series for viewers in the UK, while international audiences can find it on various streaming platforms. The show holds a Certified Fresh score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Hardy’s performance and the show’s unique visual style.
Speaking about the series, Steven Knight told Digital Spy: “It’s a human story of one individual and the consequences of their decision to take on the world, effectively. He takes on the Americans, the British, the East India Company, the Crown, and everybody.”
The series was directed by Kristoffer Nyholm and Anders Engström, with each director handling four episodes. Max Richter composed the music, adding to the show’s dark and atmospheric tone.
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What Critics Said About the Cast
The Daily Telegraph praised Taboo, stating: “Taboo’s strength is that, despite borrowing from westerns, gangster flicks and even Dickens, it still manages to feel utterly original.” The Atlantic highlighted Hardy’s performance, writing: “Hardy, always an admirably committed actor, has the magnetism to elevate even the silliest moments, making this an intriguing, if sometimes oppressively moody trip into a sinister underworld.”
The series was produced by Scott Free London and Hardy Son & Baker, with Ridley Scott, Tom Hardy, and Steven Knight serving as executive producers. The production brought together talent from both the UK and international film industries, creating a show that continues to draw new viewers years after its initial release.
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