Introduction

After an eight-year wait, Taboo Season 2 storms back onto the screen with a vengeance. Tom Hardy’s James Delaney returns from the smoke, carrying with him the raw weight of empire, betrayal, and fractured memory. The series, created by Steven Knight and Hardy himself, resumes in the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars, plunging viewers into a world of espionage, sorcery, and rebellion. With its haunting tone and operatic ambition, Season 2 is a testament to television that dares to provoke and unsettle.

Plot and Setting

This season shifts the narrative into the treacherous waters of post-Napoleonic trade wars. Delaney forges uneasy alliances with American spies and African shamans, while still locked in conflict with Britain’s imperial machinery. The story pulsates with the sense that every decision is a gamble with death, madness, or both. The show’s atmosphere is oily, feverish, and almost Gothic, steeping every frame in danger and mystery.

Performances

• Tom Hardy is once again primal and magnetic. His portrayal of Delaney oscillates between a quiet, simmering menace and volcanic eruptions of rage. Hardy’s presence is the spine of the series, impossible to look away from.
• Jessie Buckley brings depth to Delaney’s tormented sister, embodying the pull between loyalty and self-destruction.
• Stephen Graham delivers a gritty, electric performance as an assassin whose sailor’s tongue masks a dark cunning.
• Ruth Wilson captivates as a revolutionary nun, infusing her role with equal parts defiance and spiritual intensity.

Visual Style and Direction

The cinematography is remarkable, drenched in shadows, firelight, and a palette that evokes oil paintings come alive. Each scene feels both intimate and mythic. Director Anders Engström captures the tension of a world collapsing and rebuilding itself with equal parts brutality and poetry. There are moments where the show feels almost like a fever dream, daring the audience to surrender to its madness.

Strengths

• A gripping continuation of a uniquely daring narrative.
• Exceptional performances led by Hardy, who anchors the series with raw power.
• Visuals that are not just atmospheric but operatic, pushing television into the realm of art.
• Thematic boldness: Taboo dares to wrestle with empire, memory, and identity in ways few shows attempt.

Weaknesses

Its density and unrelenting darkness may overwhelm viewers seeking clarity or comfort. The narrative’s obsession with shadows, both literal and metaphorical, sometimes risks suffocating its own brilliance. Yet, for those who embrace the abyss, this is part of its power.

Verdict

Taboo Season 2 is not just a sequel—it is an escalation. It drags its audience deeper into the mire of history, myth, and human desperation. Hardy is feral and unforgettable, the supporting cast burns with intensity, and the visuals border on the sublime. It may not be for everyone, but for those willing to confront its darkness, this season is nothing short of extraordinary.

Final Rating: 9.0/10

Recommendation: For fans of historical thrillers, psychological dramas, and unapologetically bold television, Taboo Season 2 is essential viewing.