Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s major new eight-part drama series arrives on BBC One in 2017.
Produced by Ridley Scott and based on an original story by Tom Hardy and his father, Taboo follows James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy), a man who has been to the ends of the earth and comes back irrevocably changed. Believed to be long dead, he returns home to London from Africa to inherit what is left of his father’s shipping empire and rebuild a life for himself.
But his father’s legacy is a poisoned chalice, and with enemies lurking in every dark corner, James must navigate increasingly complex territories to avoid his own death sentence. Encircled by conspiracy, murder and betrayal, a dark family mystery unfolds in a combustible tale of love and treachery.
Pre-order Taboo on DVD on Amazon here.
The cast also includes Michael Kelly (House of Cards), Jonathan Pryce (Brazil), Oona Chaplin (The Hour), David Hayman (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), Jessie Buckley (Shades of Love), Ashley Walters (Cuffs), Jefferson Hall (Vikings), Ed Hogg (Anonymous), Leo Bill (Alice in Wonderland), Christopher Fairbank (Guardians of the Galaxy), Richard Dixon (Mr Turner), Jason Watkins (Being Human) and Nicholas Woodeson (Rome).
Episode 1
Saturday 7 January 2017, 9.15pm
1814. James Delaney reappears in London, a changed and haunted man, presumed dead in Africa many years before. His return finds his father, Horace Delaney, dead and a country at war with France and the United States.
Set to inherit what’s left of his father’s shipping empire, James’ arrival not only threatens to disrupt the plans of his half‐sister Zilpha and her husband Thorne, but also the political ambitions of the mighty East India Company, chaired by Sir Stuart Strange.
Episode 2
Saturday 14 January 2017, 9.15pm
Having made his shock entrance into London society, James Delaney (Tom Hardy) sets about reclaiming his legacy and establishing a new life for himself.
While the city views him with hostility and suspicion, James begins to enlist allies in unlikely places and with irregular loyalties. At the reading of his father’s will an unexpected arrival threatens to disrupt his plans, and it’s not long before the poisonous nature of his new-found inheritance is finally revealed.
Not only must he face down two of the mightiest powers in London, but there are equally complicated matters much closer to home. And then there is his past, which will not be denied.
Episode 3
Saturday 21 January 2017, 9.15pm
James Delaney (Tom Hardy) finds himself alone with the mysterious Dr. Dumbarton (Michael Kelly) and discovers an unlikely new ally.
With enemies lurking in every corner, James decides only radical action and perilous affiliations will be able to safeguard him from those intent on his demise.
As he works to prevent further attempts on his life, James realizes there are other softer options – people close by – whom his enemies may choose to destroy in his place.
Episode 4
Saturday 28 January 2017, 9.15pm
The Crown makes a devious move against James Delaney, while the Company has its own reasons for frustrating the plot.
As London begins closing its doors to him, James sets out to protect his business by any means necessary.
With empire and mayhem in mind, James adds Cholmondely, a depraved Chemist, to his company with explosive consequences. Meanwhile, Lorna aims to prove she’s anything but a weak link, and buried secrets become a matter of yet more intrigue and violence.
Episode 5
Saturday 4 February 2017, 9.15pm
After a duel at dawn takes a surprising turn, James Delaney is blackmailed into a dangerous mission that finds him in a deadly race against time.
Elsewhere, Thorne’s jealousy intensifies into a vicious and spiritual realm, while animosity between the Crown and Company escalates to a new level.
Episode 6
Saturday 11 February 2017, 9.15pm
As James Delaney’s trading plans start to unravel, a family revelation drives him into dark and haunted places, both real and emotional.
Those around him, his household and family included, seem to be spiraling out of control, with terrible prices being paid.
Meanwhile, at the East India Company, a frustrated Sir Stuart Strange calls for all-out war against James, threatening to destroy all he has built. As James reacts to this upsurge of chaos, things take a dire turn.
Episode 7
Saturday 18 February 2017, 9.15pm
James Delaney (Tom Hardy) has seemingly lost everything, but when he suffers a devastating betrayal, he realizes even his freedom is in jeopardy.
Armed with the opportunity they have been longing for, the Crown and Company conspire to bring him down once and for all.
Elsewhere, Lorna (Jessie Buckley) sets out to discover the truth, whilst Zilpha (Oona Chaplin – pictured) has perhaps already found her own.
Episode 8
Saturday 25 February 2017, 9.15pm
It is the time of final reckoning. James Delaney (Tom Hardy) confronts Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce, pictured) of the East India Company, with the cold hard truth.
Revelations about those surrounding him are unearthed and met with deadly ramifications.
Meanwhile, James conspires to escape, but as the cold enmity of the Prince Regent (Mark Gatiss) turns into a lethal fury, the Crown unleashes one final plan to destroy him. Time is running out, scores need to be settled, and tragic consequences to be borne.
Pre-order Taboo on DVD on Amazon here.
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