Taboo

Taboo Season 2 (2025): James Delaney’s Haunting Return

After an eight-year hiatus, Taboo returns in 2025 with a much-anticipated second season, reigniting the grim, mystical world that captivated audiences back in 2017. Created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and Chips Hardy, the show reenters a historical setting drenched in secrets, violence, and dark ambition. With Tom Hardy reprising his iconic role as James Keziah Delaney, the new season promises to explore deeper psychological and political themes against a changing global backdrop.

Season 2 picks up where the first season left off: Delaney and his ragtag crew have narrowly escaped England aboard a ship bound for the New World. Their destination is the west coast of America, where Delaney seeks to build an empire using the Nootka Sound—a critical piece of land left to him by his late father. The upcoming season will explore Delaney’s efforts to secure power in a volatile post-War of 1812 United States, where political alliances, native sovereignty, and espionage collide in dangerous ways.

The tone of Season 2 will remain consistent with the show’s hallmark style—gritty realism infused with supernatural undertones. James Delaney continues to be a man haunted not only by trauma and family secrets, but also by visions and spiritual connections that blur the line between madness and mysticism. These psychological elements are expected to intensify as Delaney delves deeper into his heritage and attempts to harness ancestral power in his pursuit of dominance.

Supporting characters from the first season are expected to return, including Lorna Bow, Atticus, and others who survived the explosive finale. Emily, Delaney’s mysterious half-sister, is also rumored to play a more significant role, especially as the show continues to challenge Victorian norms around identity, gender, and power. New faces will also emerge—likely American agents, Indigenous leaders, and competing interests in the fur trade and maritime economy—adding complexity and moral ambiguity to Delaney’s quest.

Behind the scenes, much of the original creative team returns. The production aims to preserve the visual style that made the first season stand out: dimly lit interiors, fog-soaked landscapes, and period-accurate grime that captures the rot beneath British colonial grandeur. The cinematography, combined with a haunting score and meticulous costume design, will once again transport viewers into the early 19th century with unflinching detail.

The themes of Taboo remain sharply relevant—colonialism, power, revenge, and identity are all central to the narrative. But this season expands the scope beyond London’s underworld into the international arena. Delaney is no longer just fighting for personal vengeance; he’s trying to reshape the balance of power in a world caught between empires and ideals.

While an exact release date is still unconfirmed, production is reportedly underway, and fan anticipation has never been higher. With Tom Hardy deeply involved in both the creative direction and performance, Taboo Season 2 is poised to deliver a bold continuation of one of television’s most uniquely atmospheric dramas. Whether the wait will prove worth it remains to be seen—but the promise of James Delaney’s return is more than enough to stir excitement.