In the 2017 crime thriller Taboo, Tom Hardy portrays James Delaney , a man returning to 1814 London to fight for his inheritance. The eight-episode series follows Delaney as he navigates a gritty landscape of corporate and royal power struggles.
The literary DNA of a 19th-century anti-hero
James Delaney is not a standard protagonist; he is a psychological cocktail of some of literature's most formidable figures. According to the report, Hardy’s character was inspired by a diverse range of icons, including the intellectual Sherlock Holmes and the intimidating Hannibal Lecter. This influence is further deepened by nods to characters like Heathcliff, Bill Sykes, Oliver Twist, and Marlow, creating a man defined by profound contradictions.
Delaney exists in a state of constant tension between the rational and the superstitious. The report notes that while he is a calculating strategist, he also possesses a "feral" quality that makes him unpredictable. This complexity is even heightened by the show's suggestion that the character may have engaged in cannibalism, a detail that likely draws from his Hannibal Lecter inspiration.
Outsmarting the East India Company and the British Crown
The setting of 1814 London serves as more than just a backdrop; it is the primary battlefield for Delaney’s economic and physical war. After spending twelve years in Africa, Delaney returns to England to reclam his inheritance, placing him in direct conflict with the era's most powerful institutions. This conflict is set against the gritty, industrial atmosphere of the 19th century.
While Delaney lacks the conventional detective persona of Sherlock Holmes, he shares the detective's ability to remain two steps ahead of his adversaries. The analysis suggests that Delaney uses keen observation to outmaneuver both the East India Company and the British Crown. His goal is not merely to solve crimes, but to systematically render his enemies powerless through strategic plotting .
A performance defined by mumbling and "feral" intensity
Tom Hardy’s acting style in Taboo relies on a "chilling but appealing quiet intensity" that distinguishes him from his other roles. This is a stark departure from his recent, more commercial work in the Venom franchise. Instead, Hardy uses a more internal approach, often mumbling through his dialogue and using long pauses and his eyes to communicate simmering anger and determination.
This nuanced approach provides a sharp contrast to Hardy's previous television work. While audiences may recognize his intimidating presence in roles like Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders or Harry Da Souza in MobLand, Delaney is arguably his most complex creation. The character is a study in extremes—simultaneously restrained and brutal, or manipulative yet vulnerable .
Will Hardy reprise the role of James Delaney?
Despite the critical acclaim surrounding the eight-part series, the future of the story remains a significant mystery. A follow-up to Taboo has been long-planned, yet a full decade has passed since the original episodes first aired.
This long hiatus leaves several questions unanswered for the audience.. It is unclear if the production intends to return to the gritty streets of 19th-century London, or if Hardy will ever consider returning to the role . without official word on the status of the sequel, the character of James Delaney remains in a state of narrative limbo.
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