Netflix fans rave over ‘dark treasure’ Stephen Knight drama after bingeing A Thousand Blows
It first aired in 2017.
Fans of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s latest TV triumph, period boxing drama A Thousand Blows, have another treat in store if they’ve already binged the acclaimed new drama.
A Thousand Blows has garnered rave reviews, with it even being called superior to the long-running internationally popular Peaky Blinders.
However, viewers looking for something else to scratch the itch of a gritty historical TV show should look no further than writer and producer Knight’s previous BBC and FX drama, Taboo.
Fans have been raving about the ‘crazy’ show, which slightly fell off the map after a long delay with the previously confirmed second series, and recommending it to those looking for something to watch.
‘A Thousand Blows hopefully making up for that #Taboo second series we’re never going to get?’ suggested Victoria Isherwood on X, while Omar Abubakar promised it was a show ‘with no boring episodes from start to finish’.
Julieth M also called the pretty twisted drama – which features A Thousand Blows star Stephen Graham in its cast as well – ‘a dark little treasure’.
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Previous Page Next Page Taboo is led by Tom Hardy’s Delaney and is set in Regency period London with a star-studded cast, including Stephen Graham (Picture: FX Networks/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock)Co-created by Knight, Hollywood actor Tom Hardy – who stars in the series – and his father, Edward ‘Chips’ Hardy, Taboo first aired in 2017, exploring the dark side of early 19th-century London, particularly in relation to the dubious operations of the East India Company.
Hardy plays James Keziah Delaney, believed dead, who returns to England after 12 years in Africa, following the death of his father and the approaching end of Great Britain’s 1812 war with the United States.
Comment nowHave you seen Taboo? What did you think of it?Comment NowOona Chaplin plays Zilpha Geary, Delaney’s half-sister and lover (see title of show again), and the cast also includes Jessie Buckley, Michael Kelly, Tom Hollander, Sir Jonathan Pryce, Jason Watkins, Lucian Msamati and Graham as Delaney’s underworld informant Atticus.
Taboo is available to watch both on Netflix – who has been repushing it in the wake of A Thousand Blows’ release on rival streamer Disney Plus – as well as for free on BBC iPlayer.
The 2017 show explored the underbelly of the East India Company, as well as featuring an incestuous relationship between Delaney and his half-sister (played by Oona Chaplin, L) (Picture: FX Networks/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock) It was created by Knight and Tom Hardy alongside his dad Chips (far R), while being executive produced by Ridley Scott (L) (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty)Sitting at an impressive 91% audience score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes – and 76% from professional critics – fans praised it as ‘absolutely riveting’ as well as ‘some of the best TV ever’.
‘Dark, deranged, and entirely watchable!’ praised Rohit R, while Liam F wrote: ‘Randomly came across this gem of a series – gritty Tom Hardy at his best! Dirty and lawless London in 1800s is brought to life with convincing actors, great writing and the story has a thrust that makes it very compelling – I’m all in!’
‘Five emphatic stars for any horror genre buff or person who enjoys mystery, magic, might and political intrigue. Steven Knight has really outdone himself and I mourn the fact there are not more seasons to this macabre masterpiece,’ shared Kal-El M.
Fans praised Taboo as ‘absolutely riveting’, ‘compelling’ and ‘a macabre masterpiece’ (Picture: FX Networks/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock)Another fan echoed their thoughts, commenting: ‘Wow, one of the best TV shows I’ve ever seen. Need a second season desperately. Love the gritty and dark depiction of 19th century London.’
The Emmy-nominated show was renewed for a second series shortly after it first aired, before hitting delays owing to the busy schedules of both Knight – who is currently working on the Peaky Blinders film – and Hardy.
In November 2021, Knight confirmed that six of the planned eight episodes of the second instalment had been penned, with the start of filming dictated by Hardy’s availability. The following year, Knight said they were looking at the end of 2023 to start shooting.
However, no further updates have been given as of February 2025.
Taboo is available to watch both on Netflix and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
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