It has been ages. Since 2017, fans of the grit-soaked, mud-caked world of 19th-century London have been asking the same question: Where on earth is Taboo season 2? If you’ve been doom-scrolling through forums or checking Tom Hardy’s Instagram for a hint of top-hat-wearing madness, you’re not alone. The silence has been deafening. Honestly, most shows would have been declared dead by now, buried under the weight of "scheduling conflicts" and "production delays." But Taboo isn't most shows. It’s a passion project born from the minds of Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and his father, Chips Hardy.
You remember the vibe. James Keziah Delaney returns from the dead, grunting his way through a conspiracy involving the East India Company and a mysterious piece of land called Nootka Sound. It was dark. It was weird. It was brilliant.
The good news? It is still happening. Steven Knight has confirmed it multiple times. The bad news? Patience is a requirement, not a suggestion. We are looking at a narrative that shifts from the claustrophobic streets of London to the open, treacherous waters of the Atlantic.
The Reality Behind the Delay
Why has it taken nearly a decade? Basically, Tom Hardy is one of the busiest humans in Hollywood. Between Venom sequels, The Bikeriders, and Havoc, his dance card has been overflowing. Steven Knight isn't exactly sitting around either; he’s been busy finishing Peaky Blinders, writing the upcoming movie, and juggling a dozen other BBC and Netflix projects.
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Making Taboo season 2 isn't just about finding a gap in the schedule. It's about the physical toll. Hardy doesn't just "play" Delaney; he inhabits him. That level of intensity requires a specific kind of headspace. Knight told Collider and Creative Screenwriting that the scripts are largely written, but they won't pull the trigger until the timing allows for the same visceral quality that made the first eight episodes so haunting.
Where the Story Goes Next
If the first season was about "the return," the second is about "the journey." We left Delaney and his motley crew of survivors—Atticus, Lorna Bow, and the chemist Cholmondeley—sailing toward the Azores. They aren't just running away. They are heading toward a new world, likely the Americas, but the path is anything but straight.
Knight has teased that the new season will delve deeper into the "Colonnade." We’re moving away from the domestic politics of the Prince Regent and into the international espionage of the early 1800s. Expect a shift in tone. While London was a character itself—filthy, damp, and suffocating—the new setting offers a different kind of dread. The isolation of the sea. The uncertainty of a new continent.
- The Nootka Sound connection: That strip of land is still the focal point. It’s the gateway to trade with China, and everyone—the Americans, the British, and the East India Company—wants a piece of it.
- Delaney’s heritage: We’ve only scratched the surface of James’s time in Africa and his mother’s origins. Season 2 promises more of the supernatural, or at least the hallucinatory, elements that haunt James.
Is Tom Hardy Still Committed?
Absolutely. In fact, Hardy is arguably the reason the show exists at all. He put up his own money for the first season, reportedly taking a significant financial hit to ensure the creative vision remained uncompromised. He doesn't want a "safe" season 2. He wants something that pushes boundaries.
In interviews, Hardy has described James Delaney as a "character that is a collage of many different parts." He’s a mix of Bill Sikes, Sherlock Holmes, and Hannibal Lecter. You don't just "phone in" a performance like that. The actor’s dedication is the only reason we aren't talking about Taboo season 2 in the past tense.
Kinda makes you appreciate the wait, doesn't it? In an era where streamers pump out content every 12 months like a factory, there’s something respectable about waiting for the creators to actually be ready.
The Supporting Cast: Who Survives?
Not everyone made it out of London alive. But the ones who did are essential. Jessie Buckley, who has become a massive star since the show first aired, plays Lorna Bow. Her chemistry with Hardy is one of the show's underrated strengths. Then there’s Stephen Graham’s Atticus. Honestly, if Graham isn't in the second season, there will be riots.
We also need to consider the power vacuum left in London. Mark Gatiss as the Prince Regent was a grotesque delight. Even if the main action moves to the Azores and beyond, the tentacles of the British Empire are long. They won't let Delaney go easily.
Production Logistics and 2026
Reports from late 2024 and early 2025 suggested that pre-production was finally ramping up. With Knight finishing his work on the Peaky Blinders film, his schedule has cleared significantly. The rumor mill—and some vague hints from the BBC—point toward a filming window that aligns with Hardy's post-Venom availability.
We’re looking at a potential release in late 2025 or, more realistically, 2026. Yes, that is a long time. It’s nearly a generational gap between seasons. But Taboo has developed a cult following that doesn't seem to care about the passage of time. The viewership numbers on streaming platforms like Netflix (where it found a massive second life) prove the demand is still there.
What Most People Get Wrong About Taboo
People often think it’s a standard historical drama. It’s not. It’s "Gothic Noir." It leans heavily into the weird, the occult, and the visceral. If you're expecting a Downton Abbey style look at the Regency era, you're in the wrong place. This is a show where the main character spends half his time grunting and the other half carving symbols into his skin.
Another misconception is that the East India Company was just a "business." In the world of Taboo season 2, they are depicted as the first global corporate superpower—a precursor to modern conglomerates with their own private army and a total lack of morality. This political layer makes the show much more relevant to 2026 than a simple period piece.
Why the Azores Matter
The destination isn't just a random stop. In the early 19th century, the Azores were a vital waypoint for transatlantic travel. For Delaney, it represents a neutral ground—or a dangerous trap. It’s where the "Old World" and "New World" collide.
Expect the visuals to change. The grey-blues of London will likely be replaced by the volcanic blacks and lush greens of the islands, though knowing this show, it will still look incredibly moody. The cinematography in the first season was masterfully handled by Mark Patten, and fans are hoping for a return to that high-contrast, atmospheric style.
The Complexity of James Delaney
We have to talk about the "incest" subplot from season one. It was the most controversial aspect of the show, involving James and his half-sister Zilpha. With Zilpha's death at the end of the first season, the show loses its primary emotional anchor—or its primary haunting.
How will James handle her loss? He’s not a man who grieves traditionally. He’ll likely carry her ghost with him to America. This psychological depth is what separates Taboo from other "tough guy" shows. It’s not just about violence; it’s about a shattered psyche trying to rebuild itself in a world that wants him dead.
Actionable Steps for Fans
While we wait for the official trailer to drop, there are a few things you can do to stay in the loop and prepare for the return of James Delaney.
- Rewatch on Netflix or BBC iPlayer: Seriously. The plot is dense. There are names and alliances mentioned in passing in episode three that become vital in episode eight. You’ll catch things you missed the first time, especially regarding the letters James’s father left behind.
- Follow Steven Knight’s interviews: He is the most reliable source of information. Unlike "insider" leaks, Knight usually gives straight answers about script progress during press tours for his other projects.
- Explore the "Chips Hardy" connection: Tom's father wrote a lot of the back-story. Looking into his work gives you a sense of the dark, literary roots that ground the series.
- Monitor the "Havoc" release date: This is Tom Hardy’s next big project. Once that press cycle ends, his schedule is theoretically open for the transformation back into Delaney.
Taboo season 2 isn't a myth. It’s just an outlier. In a world of fast-food television, it’s a slow-cooked, complex meal that refuses to be rushed. The wait is frustrating, but if the scripts live up to the hype Steven Knight has been building, the return to Nootka Sound will be well worth the years of silence. Keep your gunpowder dry and your eyes on the horizon. James Delaney is coming back. Eventually.
Key Takeaway: The delay for the second season is primarily due to the intense schedules of Tom Hardy and Steven Knight, but scripts are written, and the story will shift from London to the Atlantic and the Americas, focusing on the Azores and the international conflict over Nootka Sound.
Pro Tip: Don't believe every "confirmed" release date you see on social media unless it comes directly from the BBC or FX. As of early 2026, we are still waiting for the first official teaser footage.