“His best performance yet”: Taboo is Stephen Graham’s “beyond brilliant” crime drama to watch tonight

If you thought Stephen Graham’s scene-stealing performance as devastated father, Eddie Miller, in Adolescence was as good as they get, you probably haven’t watched Taboo yet. The beyond brilliant crime drama comes from the pen of Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight and, if you want to witness Stephen’s best performance yet, we’d highly recommend watching it.

The BBC drama transports us to the early 19^th century when the War of 1812 is underway and adventurer James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy) returns to London for his father’s funeral to discover he’s inherited his dad’s shipping empire. Both the government and his biggest competitor also want his inheritance, however, and gritty dockworker and smuggler Atticus (played by Stephen) is going to prove vital in his battle to retain it - and protect his life.

With the full series available to stream tonight (or now, if you please!), here’s everything you need to know about Taboo before you watch it, including the plot, cast and release date.

What is Taboo about?

The eight-part series, which first aired on the BBC in 2017, is set during the final year of the War of 1812 and introduces us to adventurer James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy). James is haunted man - he was presumed dead in Africa many years before - but now, he’s back in London and he's set to inherit what’s left of his late father’s shipping empire.

Having made his shock entrance into London society, James Delaney (Tom Hardy) sets about reclaiming his legacy and establishing a new life for himself. But not only does his move threaten to disrupt the plans of his half‐sister Zilpha (Oona Chaplin) and her husband Thorne (Jefferson Hall), there's also the political ambitions of the mighty East India Company, chaired by Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce), at play.

You see, James refuses to sell the family business to the East India Company, and instead wants to build his own empire. Thus, he finds himself playing an increasingly dangerous game with two nations at war, Britain and America - and finds himself in a battle to hang on to his goods and his life.

Along the way, we also meet Stephen Graham’s Atticus, a former sailor and gang leader who operates out of the Dolphin Inn and works for James. “Trying to be clean about it, I’m playing like the Artful Dodger - all grown up. He can kill a man... if the money's right,” Stephen told Digital Spy of the role. If you tune in, you'll see exactly what he means!

Who’s in the cast of Taboo?

The cast of Taboo includes:

• Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney
• Stephen Graham as Atticus
• Oona Chaplin as Zilpha Geary
• Jonathan Pryce as Sir Stuart Strange
• Jefferson Hall as Thorne
• Thorne Geary as Jefferson Hall
• Nicholas Woodeson as Robert Thoyt
• Edward Fox as Horace Delaney
• Edward Hogg as Godfrey
• David Hayman as Brace
• Franka Potente as Helga
• Leo Bill as Wilton
• Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Appleby
• Andrew Greenough as Mace
• Christopher Fairbank as Ibbotson
• Mark Gatiss as Prince Regent
• Jason Watkins as Solomon Coop
• Jessie Buckley as Lorna Bow
• Richard Dixon as Pettifer

Is there a trailer for Taboo?

Yes, you can watch the trailer for Taboo below.

View full post on YouTube

Is Taboo any good?

Yes – as we mentioned, the series is written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and has Ridley Scott on board as executive producer, which makes for a series that’s as atmospheric as it is brilliantly addictive. While the story itself is superb and doesn’t feel beyond comprehension, the costumes and immersive really help bring 1814 London to life in spectacular –(though, do be warned, it’s pretty dark!) - fashion. And we haven’t even mentioned Stephen Graham and Tom Hardy’s incredible performances yet…

How can I watch Taboo?

Taboo is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

What other Stephen Graham dramas can I watch now?

If you’re a fan of creepy psychological thrillers, we’d recommend A Patch of Fog. Stephen plays security guard Robert who catches a TV personality shoplifting and develops a strange infatuation with him. You can watch A Patch of Fog on Disney+. For a series rooted in real-life, we’d suggest The Walk-In. The chilling drama stars Graham as the real life activist Matthew Collins, a reformed anti-fascist campaigner, who works to infiltrate and destroy far-right extremist groups. The Walk-In is available to watch on ITVX.