Taboo: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 328 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 328 Ratings

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Taboo

Now Playing: Taboo

Season Details & Credits

FX | TNN | Season Premiere Date: January 7, 2017

Starring: Jonathan Pryce, David Hayman, Tom Hardy

Summary: Set in 1800s, James Delaney (Tom Hardy) returns to London to build a shipping empire and avenge his father's death after spending 10 years in Africa in the miniseries created by Steven Knight with Hardy and his father, Chris Hardy.

Creator: Tom Hardy and Steven Knight and Chips Hardy

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. Episode 8
Air Date: February 28, 2017
tbd
S1:E7. Episode 7
Air Date: February 21, 2017
tbd
S1:E6. Episode 6
Air Date: February 14, 2017

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Jeff Korbelik

Jan 9, 2017

Taboo, like “Fargo” before it, is an original, highly imaginative series from FX. Here, the Hardys and Knight blend a tale of intrigue set against the supernatural. The drama is eerie, even haunting. Read full review

Darren Franich

Jan 9, 2017

Much of Taboo's fun derives from watching Hardy's charisma explode onto a small-screen costume drama. His Delaney is infused with bull-in-a-china-shop paranoia; he looks trapped, and the only way out is to chew all the gorgeous scenery. [13 Jan 2017, p.54] Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

Jan 5, 2017

I was fascinated by the first three episodes of Taboo. Some of the storytelling is muddled, which may well be intentional, and the hints of the supernatural are at times distracting. But still, if you like your historical fiction grim and your cobblestones dirt-caked, if you don’t mind looking into some of humanity’s bleaker facets, this one’s for you. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jan 10, 2017

FX dramas are invariably gritty, but the mood here seems organic to the story, in the way it did, say, on "Deadwood." Whether Taboo can rise to that level remains to be seen, but based on first impressions, Hardy's TV return is pretty hardy indeed. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jan 9, 2017

Three episodes deep, there’s an appetite for more, but not a ravenous one. Taboo could develop into a whale of a tale once Delaney is fully seen in his earlier element. Read full review

Terry Terrones

Jan 10, 2017

Taboo is a show with a lot of potential. An authentic-looking world with an intriguing lead character is sure to draw viewers in. But if it wants to maintain its audience, the series needs to do a better job of revealing itself. Read full review

UPROXX Alan Sepinwall

Jan 6, 2017

Taboo is slow, dark (visually as well as tonally) and unrelentingly humorless. Any of those three qualities on its own would be fine, but put together in service of what’s ultimately a trashy, if pretentious, revenge story, it’s an utter slog, and the biggest creative misstep FX has made in a while. Read full review

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User Score

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8.4

User Reviews

Debaser7

Jan 10, 2017

currently on 68, wtf??....Beautifully dark, very well written and acted, i can't wait for the rest of the series. Tom Hardy yet again has proved himself as one of the best actors working today.

23 of 30 users found this helpful237

movieboy

Feb 26, 2017

One of the most amazing TV shows I've seen in years. Utterly gripping with fantastic acting and phenomenal cinematography - some scenes are like historical paintings come to life. Very few shows come close.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Q8_MarksMan

Mar 24, 2017

When you see Tom Hardy leading...You know its gonna be good

This show is so amazing it left me speechless.Its like a huge puzzle and only Tom hardy can find a way out and deliver. And we all just have to sit back and watch him take us there.No disrespect to other actors , as they all didWhen you see Tom Hardy leading...You know its gonna be good

This show is so amazing it left me speechless.Its like a huge puzzle and only Tom hardy can find a way out and deliver. And we all just have to sit back and watch him take us there.No disrespect to other actors , as they all did an awesome job.Taboo has the best all-around acting that i have ever seen. Whenever an episode ends, i hope time goes fast so i can watch the next episode when next week comes.

Tom Hardy character is so strong on the screen , once he's there you dont wanna miss a word or a move.

The series is an absolute MUST have for any viewer, ready to go into the world of mad man James Delayne. If you are looking for a show to watch , this is it!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Hua

Jan 19, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm only two episodes in, and all I'll say for now is: hypnotic. What some may call boring and incomprehensible, I call entrancing! Tom Hardy is a master. My eyes were glued to the screen, and I didn't move a muscle for the two hours that I spent watching these episodes. And hardly anything happened! This is unlike much of television, and that is why I love it. I can't wait to see the remainder of this mysterious story unfold.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

BrightCityLight

Jun 2, 2017

One of my favorite shows of 2016. Captivating, dark, dirty and intriguing. One has to have a thing against Tom Hardy to not like this show ... a personal thing like penis envy or something like that. Dude is legit and encompassing. Getting past that, production, screenplay and the castOne of my favorite shows of 2016. Captivating, dark, dirty and intriguing. One has to have a thing against Tom Hardy to not like this show ... a personal thing like penis envy or something like that. Dude is legit and encompassing. Getting past that, production, screenplay and the cast were all phenomenal. Well done to the Hardy Crew for putting this out and hoping for a Season 2.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

WorldofLucky

Feb 3, 2018

Unexpectedly very good! Especially for a time period I never had an interest in.

The story was unexpected for me. The series follows Tom Hardy playing James Delaney, someone who worked for the East India Company, and a man long believed dead who returns to London in 1814 to inherit isUnexpectedly very good! Especially for a time period I never had an interest in.

The story was unexpected for me. The series follows Tom Hardy playing James Delaney, someone who worked for the East India Company, and a man long believed dead who returns to London in 1814 to inherit is father?s estate that includes the land his father owned in the new world.

The show starts with a bang and from there becomes an incredibly fast paces, brutal piece of work that shows squalor, mysticism, and the greed and power of the East India company as it tries to force James to give them the land in North America.

The show's title is definitely an indicator of the story itself. I don?t want to go into details on that except to say it is definitely not what I expected from a TV show until I learned it was partnered by BBC. I also didn?t expect the show?s idea came from Tom Hardy and his father.

Like many shows nowadays (especially in my experience from the BBC style) it is a short season. Season 1 is eight episodes. Enough to tell a great story, to keep things tight and not ramble too badly.

Pros: Intriguing story, great acting and very immersive in a time period I would have never thought interesting..

Cons: James is probably too good at anticipating what the Crown and the East India company do that it sometimes strains credibility. Season is a bit short if you just want to enjoy the show itself.

While there are some issues, overall it is a great season and a great show.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Wanda65

Jan 25, 2017

Taboo is a GREAT new show! Tom Hardy is at his sexiest! We love, love, love this show! My family is into the shows that replicate older times. Can't say enough about the story line. AWESOME!!! Please keep them coming.

0 of 48 users found this helpful048

SEE ALL 61 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

67

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: January 10, 2017
Season 1

67
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 7, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E8. Episode 8
  Air Date: February 28, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E7. Episode 7
  Air Date: February 21, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E6. Episode 6
  Air Date: February 14, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E5. Episode 5
  Air Date: February 7, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E4. Episode 4
  Air Date: January 31, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E3. Episode 3
  Air Date: January 24, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E2. Episode 2
  Air Date: January 17, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E1. Shovels and Keys
  Air Date: January 10, 2017