Tom Hardy’s BBC Drama Taboo May Return After 10 Years

Nearly ten years after it first aired, Tom Hardy’s dark and distinctive BBC drama Taboo may be edging closer to a long-awaited return. Once described by fans and critics alike as a “work of genius,” the series has never quite loosened its grip on audiences — despite vanishing from screens after just one season.

Now, fresh comments from those behind the show suggest that Taboo has not been abandoned, but rather delayed — raising renewed hope that Hardy’s brooding period epic could finally continue its unfinished story.

A Series That Became a Cult Classic

When Taboo premiered on BBC in 2017, it stood apart from anything else on television. Set in early-19th-century London, the eight-part series followed James Keziah Delaney, a mysterious adventurer presumed dead who returns from Africa to claim his inheritance — and immediately collides with powerful political and commercial forces.

The show divided critics but captivated viewers. Its grim atmosphere, gothic visuals, and uncompromising tone helped it build a devoted following. Over time, Taboo’s reputation has grown, with many now regarding it as one of the BBC’s boldest and most original dramas of the last decade.

Why Taboo Disappeared

From the beginning, Taboo was never intended as a one-off. Hardy co-created the series alongside his father, Chips Hardy, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the scripts. The plan was for a multi-season saga charting Delaney’s journey beyond Britain.

But almost immediately after season one aired, momentum stalled.

The main reason was timing. Hardy’s film career accelerated rapidly, with major commitments in Hollywood franchises and prestige projects leaving little room for an ambitious television series. At the same time, Knight’s own schedule became increasingly crowded.

Unlike many shows controlled primarily by networks, Taboo required all three key creatives to align — a difficult task as the years passed.

The Encouraging Update

Despite the long silence, recent remarks from Steven Knight have reframed the situation. Rather than describing Taboo as cancelled, Knight has emphasised that the project remains alive — and that Hardy is still invested in continuing the story.

While no filming dates or official announcements have been confirmed, the tone has shifted from uncertainty to possibility. For fans who feared the series had quietly died, that distinction matters.

In today’s television landscape, where revivals and delayed returns are increasingly common, a near-decade gap no longer feels impossible.

Why the Show Still Resonates

Part of Taboo’s enduring appeal lies in its refusal to explain itself. The series leaned heavily into ambiguity, moral darkness, and silence — trusting viewers to sit with discomfort rather than offering easy answers.

Hardy’s performance was central to that approach. His Delaney was menacing, wounded, and deliberately unreadable — a character defined as much by what he withheld as what he revealed.

That restraint has aged well. As audiences increasingly embrace slow-burn storytelling and morally complex protagonists, Taboo feels more in step with modern tastes now than it did at launch.

What Season Two Could Explore

Season one ended with Delaney setting sail for America, opening up a much broader canvas. A second season has long been expected to move beyond London, potentially exploring early American politics, trade empires, and colonial power struggles.

Knight has previously suggested the story was designed to unfold over several chapters, with Delaney’s past and motivations revealed gradually rather than all at once.

If the series does return, it could tackle themes of empire, identity, and corruption with even greater scope — ideas that feel strikingly relevant in today’s cultural climate.

The BBC Factor

The BBC’s reputation for prestige drama has only strengthened since Taboo first aired. With audiences increasingly drawn to distinctive, auteur-driven series, a return of Taboo would fit neatly into the broadcaster’s current strategy.

A revival would also benefit from streaming-era viewing habits. The show has continued to attract new fans through catch-up platforms, keeping interest alive long after its initial broadcast.

That sustained engagement strengthens the case for a continuation — especially for a series that never concluded its story.

Fan Patience Has Paid Off

Reaction to the latest update has been cautiously optimistic. Rather than demanding immediate production, fans appear willing to wait — provided the eventual return preserves the show’s uncompromising vision.

Many argue that Taboo’s impact came from its density and detail, qualities that would benefit from careful development rather than rushed revival.

In an industry often driven by speed, Taboo remains a reminder that some stories demand time.

A Return Years in the Making

If Taboo does finally return, it will stand as an unusual case: a prestige drama resurrected not because of nostalgia, but because its story was never finished.

Nearly ten years on, the series remains unfinished rather than forgotten. And with renewed signals from its creators, Tom Hardy’s “work of genius” may yet reclaim its place on British television — darker, bolder, and more relevant than ever.

Source - https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/877604/tom-hardy-epic-bbc-period-drama-taboo-could-return/

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