Tom Hardy’s MobLand success reignites hope for taboo’s long-delayed season 2

MobLand's Tom Hardy isn’t just having a moment — he’s leading a full-blown television renaissance. With this series breaking streaming records on Paramount+ and securing an early renewal, the British actor’s latest crime saga has become one of the biggest TV successes of 2025. But its success isn’t just opening the door for future seasons — it’s also bringing back a long-abandoned project that fans have mourned for years: Taboo.

The period drama, which aired in 2017 and featured Hardy as the mysterious, mud-covered James Delaney, has always been somewhat of a cult favorite. Moody, violent, and deeply atmospheric, it left a lasting impression but never received the follow-up it clearly deserved. Although season two was teased and even scripted, the show vanished into the fog—ghosted by scheduling conflicts, a pandemic, and Hardy’s blockbuster commitments.

Now, with MobLand proving that Hardy can still lead a complex TV series to mainstream success, fans are once again looking to Taboo with hope. If MobLand can deliver both commercial success and critical acclaim with a brooding anti-hero at its core, then perhaps the time has finally come to revisit the 19th-century London docks — and James Delaney’s unfinished business.

MobLand’s grit mirrors Taboo’s DNA — but adds a modern fire

While MobLand is set in a modern criminal underworld and Taboo unfolds amidst the soot and shadows of 1814, the two shows share more than just a lead actor. Both are character-driven stories disguised as crime thrillers, with Hardy portraying a man motivated by trauma, loyalty, and outdated codes in a world increasingly defined by betrayal. In MobLand, Harry De Souza is a fixer who sacrifices for the mob family he serves. In Taboo, Delaney is a ghost of empire returning home with secrets and scars that no one wants to reveal.

What MobLand brings to the table is modern pacing and a touch of dark humor — all of which Hardy handles with his signature mix of simmer and eruption. The show’s first season ended with a literal knife twist, as Harry was accidentally stabbed by his wife, Jan. It’s not just a great cliffhanger — it’s a testament to Hardy’s talent for portraying men whose biggest battles are internal. That emotional undercurrent is what gives MobLand its edge — and why it feels like the perfect lead-in to Taboo's return.

Taboo’s road back: delays, dedication, and the Hardy factor

Let’s be clear — Taboo was never officially canceled. As far back as 2021, six new episodes were reportedly written and ready, with co-creator Dean Baker expressing the intention to move forward. The only real obstacles? The pandemic, of course, and Tom Hardy being... well, occupied elsewhere. Between Venom, Peaky Blinders, and numerous movie commitments, scheduling became the series’ biggest hurdle.

However, the momentum has now shifted. Hardy repeatedly reaffirmed his desire to return to Taboo, emphasizing the importance of “doing it properly.” That’s not just lip service — it’s a signal of unfinished creative business. With MobLand proving that audiences are eager for Hardy-led television again, and networks eager for bankable IPs, Taboo's second season could suddenly be more than wishful thinking. It could be next in line.

The case for Taboo season 2: prestige TV with Hardy at the helm

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Unlike many shows that fade into cancellation limbo, Taboo had — and still has — all the right ingredients for a comeback. It was praised for its historical depth, darkly immersive production design, and, of course, Hardy’s performance as the enigmatic Delaney. And unlike most period dramas, it wasn’t afraid to get weird. There were hallucinations, conspiracy plots, East India Company villains, and a protagonist who walked the line between messiah and menace.

What’s more, Taboo never wrapped up its central narrative. We were left with Delaney setting sail for America, surrounded by outlaws and whispering promises of war. That open-ended finale wasn’t just a setup — it was a contract with viewers. And now, with Hardy’s stock higher than ever and MobLand giving him the platform to steer high-concept drama again, there's no better time to capitalize on that unfinished promise. For fans of dark prestige TV, it’s not just about nostalgia — it’s about getting what we were always promised.

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