Tom Hardy has a knack for portraying captivating, morally ambiguous characters, and his roles in bothPeaky BlindersandTaboo, both of which aired on the BBC, are prime examples. While separated by over a century –Peaky Blindersbeing set just after World War I andTabooplunging viewers into the Regency era of 1814 – both series explore the dark underbelly of power, ambition, and survival. Short ofrewatchingPeaky Blinders, Taboomay just be its best replacement.
Viewers drawn to Hardy’s explosive portrayal of the unpredictablevillain Alfie Solomons inPeaky Blinderswill likely find themselves gripped by his equally compelling performance as James Delaney inTaboo. Though the historical settings differ, both shows share a fascination with characters operating on the fringes of society, navigating treacherous landscapes of loyalty and betrayal.
Taboo Is Perfect For Fans Of Peaky Blinders (Especially Tom Hardy’s Character)
Tom Hardy Delivers An Equally Brilliant Performance As James Delaney
WhileTabooandPeaky Blindersboth explore the dark side of ambition and feature charismatic anti-heroes, they are set in different historical periods.Tabootakes place in 1814, while the setting ofPeaky Blindersstarts in 1919. However, viewers ofPeaky Blinders, particularly those drawn to Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons, aPeaky Blinderscharacter based on a real person, may still findTabooappealing for Hardy’s performance as James Delaney. Both shows feature complex, morally ambiguous characters who operate outside the law. Like Alfie, James is ruthless and driven, carving his own path in a corrupt and dangerous world.
Delaney aims to build a shipping empire strong enough to challenge the East India Company…
James Delaney’s return to London in 1814 after years in Africa is anything but a homecoming. Believed dead, he arrives to inherit his father’s shipping business, only to find himself surrounded by enemies.Driven by a thirst for revenge against those responsible for his father’s death, Delaney aims to build a shipping empire strong enough to challenge the East India Company. His pursuit of power and vengeance leads him down a dangerous path of conspiracy, betrayal, and bloodshed, where survival becomes a constant struggle.
How Tom Hardy’s Taboo Character Is Different Compared To Alfie Solomons
James Delaney Has More Sympathetic Motives
While both Alfie Solomons and James Delaney are ruthless and driven, their motivations and methods differ significantly. Alfie is primarily concerned with maximizing his own power, shifting allegiances and manipulating others to achieve his goals. Delaney, though equally capable of violence and manipulation, is driven by a complex mix of familial loyalty, a desire to avenge his father, and a deep-seated opposition to the East India Company’s exploitative practices. Unlike Alfie’s self-serving opportunism, Delaney’s actions, however morally grey, are ultimately aimed at protecting his mother’s people and fighting against imperialistic forces.
While Alfie is continually shifting loyalties, Delaney, though capable of extreme violence, maintains loyalty to his chosen allies. Both are outsiders in their respective societies, but Delaney’s"Devil Delaney"persona stems from his African experiences and spiritual beliefs, setting him apart from Alfie’s more conventional gangster persona. Finally, while Alfie’s ruthlessness is primarily focused on consolidating power, Delaney’s is tempered by a sense of responsibility towards his family and a broader social conscience, even if his methods are often brutal. His more sympathetic character is one of many things that makeTabooa BBC series well worth a watch.
Taboo
Cast
In 1814, in the wake of his father’s death, British businessman James Delaney returns to England, having spent the past twelve years in Africa. As he has little to his name, he sets about trying to reclaim his inheritance, against the gritty backdrop of 19th century London’s political corruption, underhanded business practices, and criminal activity.
