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Published
February 16, 2026
4:00 PM PST

When it comes to magnetic screen presence, it’s hard not to put Tom Hardy at the top of the list. Over the years, he’s delivered some of his most striking work in films like The Revenant and Mad Max: Fury Road, while also anchoring blockbuster franchises like Venom. Just as importantly, Hardy has consistently shown a willingness to commit to challenging television roles, including his scene-stealing turn on Peaky Blinders and more recently on MobLand. In 2017, he took that commitment a step further, teaming up with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to build a series very much on his own terms.

That series is Taboo, an eight-episode historical thriller co-created by Hardy, his father Edward “Chips” Hardy, and Steven Knight. Set in a grimy, unforgiving early 19th-century London, Taboo is slow, dense, and unapologetically strange. While it earned a devoted cult following, it never fully broke into the mainstream conversation. Nearly a decade later, the series plays far better on a binge, revealing a meticulously crafted drama that remains one of Hardy’s purest and most hypnotic performances.

What Is Tom Hardy’s FX Series ‘Taboo’ About?

Set in 1814 London, Taboo follows James Keziah Delaney (Hardy), a man long presumed dead who abruptly returns from Africa after more than a decade away. His reappearance coincides with the death of his father, leaving him in possession of a small but strategically vital piece of land that places him in direct conflict with the East India Company, embodied by the chilling Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce), as well as representatives of the British Crown and American interests, including the calculating Atticus (Stephen Graham). What begins as a dispute over land quickly expands into a web of political manipulation, corporate greed, espionage, and colonial exploitation.

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The show is one of Hardy’s many collaborations with ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight.

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Taboo presents every institution Delaney encounters as morally compromised, offering no clear heroes and only competing forces vying for power. As the conspiracy deepens, the series slowly unravels Delaney’s personal history, particularly his complicated bond with his half-sister Zilpha (Oona Chaplin), whose quiet suffering adds emotional weight to the show’s brutality. Supporting players like Lorna Bow (Jessie Buckley) and Brace (David Hayman) further flesh out the seedy world. While some viewers may find the plot and world-building deliberately slow, that restraint ultimately gives Hardy the space to deliver a performance that becomes the series’ driving force.

Tom Hardy’s Performance in ‘Taboo’ Is Pure, Unfiltered Commitment From Start to Finish

At the center of Taboo’s enduring power is Tom Hardy’s extraordinary performance as James Delaney. This is not a traditionally charismatic role, nor is it designed to make Delaney likable. Hardy plays him as a man perpetually coiled, speaking sparingly and observing constantly, as though every interaction is a test of dominance. His low, gravelly voice becomes a weapon in itself, conveying menace even in silence. And like many of Hardy’s performances, his physicality is just as crucial. Delaney moves through the world like an imposing specter, his stillness often more unsettling than outright violence.

That discipline is entirely intentional. Hardy conceived James Delaney years before Taboo ever made it to screen, and his involvement went far beyond acting. In a 2017 Collider interview, Hardy explained that performance was “five percent” of the job for him, with the rest devoted to producing, world-building, and supporting the ensemble. He emphasized that the other characters mattered just as much as Delaney, even as he carried the responsibility of anchoring the series. That dual role helps explain why the performance feels so controlled and purposeful. Hardy isn’t just inhabiting Delaney, he’s safeguarding the integrity of the world around him.

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Tom? I Hardy know him!

Taboo was officially renewed for Season 2 in 2017, but nearly nine years later, that follow-up has yet to materialize due to Hardy and Steven Knight’s packed schedules, even as both have repeatedly confirmed their commitment to continuing the story. Revisiting Taboo now also means watching a cast whose stars have only continued to rise. Stephen Graham became a household name following his Emmy-winning work in Adolescence, Jessie Buckley earned an Academy Award nomination for Hamnet, and Oona Chaplin joined the Avatar franchise — all actors who were already formidable here but have since become even more widely recognized for their craft.

Nearly a decade after its premiere, Taboo has only grown stronger with time. What once felt slow or demanding now reads as deliberate, anchored by Tom Hardy at his most disciplined and commanding, and shaped by his hand in crafting and producing something genuinely meaningful. No matter if we get a Season 2, the series stands as proof that this eight-part historical thriller isn’t just aging well — it’s aging brilliantly.

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Release Date

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2017 – 2017-00-00

Network

BBC One

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Showrunner

Steven Knight

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Directors

Anders Engström

Writers

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Ben Hervey

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Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model docuseries revealed where Tyra Banks stands with many former contestants after they offered their unfiltered opinions of the show.

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, streaming now, features interviews from alums Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Danielle Evans and Keenyah Hill.

New confessionals with executive producer Ken Mok, former judges Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander and Nigel Barker offer more insight into the behind the scenes dynamics — including rare commentary from Banks herself.

“I haven’t really said much. But now it’s time,” Banks, 52, explains to producers in one scene. “I’m going to take you to 2020. COVID hit and the world was binging TV. … They didn’t watch it back then and it went from this thing that everybody loved to overnight heat — just a whole different lens. What I think is important is to understand where that came from.”

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All she needs is her signature smize! Tyra Banks got her start as a model, but she is perhaps more well-known as a TV host in this day and age. The businesswoman took the world by storm when she kicked off America’s Next Top Model in May 2003. She not only served as a host and mentor […]

Banks also recalls her approach with America’s Next Top Model, which ran from 2003 to 2018, saying, “I wanted to fight against the fashion industry. One day, this idea just hit me. What if I created a show where you saw what it took to become a model. And for this show to represent not all white, not all skinny and to just show all the differences and all the different types of beauties. I had a feeling that I was gonna change the beauty world.”

Despite positive intentions, Banks acknowledges the offscreen backlash from controversial photo shoot concepts to allegations of discrimination, sexual assault and more.

“Looking at that show through the lens of today, it’s like, ‘Why did you do that?’ I thank you for that. That is the only way you change. That is the only way you get better is by somebody calling you out on your s***,” Banks says. “It is important. I want to let you know that I want you guys to be just as open as I am now by getting called on my s*** by when somebody calls you out on yours. Because that day will come and continue to evolve. Because that’s what we’re all doing.”

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of which contestants and winners participated in the America’s Next Top Model docuseries — and where they stand with Banks:

Shannon Stewart (Cycle 1)

The runner-up from season 1 recalled her struggles with an eating disorder before and during the show. She expressed gratitude to Tyra Banks for speaking out about the conversations surrounding weight on the show — and for sending flowers when Shannon Stewart didn’t win. Stewart ultimately left modeling and committed to her faith.

Ebony Haith (Cycle 1)

The contestant from the debut season voiced frustration with Tyra Banks after the former host brought up her sexual orientation on screen because she “forgot the danger” at the time. Ebony Haith was still happy how her personal life was portrayed — despite the obstacles she faced as a Black woman.

Ebony didn’t feel “protected” and felt “full disappointment” of how she was represented. She claimed Banks barely spoke to her on the show outside of comments that felt targeted, which is when she realized the host wouldn’t help her.

The aspiring actress ultimately said Banks “very much disappointed” her.

Giselle Samson (Cycle 1)

For Giselle Samson, it was shocking when America’s Next Top Model wasn’t what she thought it was going to be. She said she felt pushed by production to start drama and her self esteem suffered after watching Tyra Banks and others discuss her weight on the show.

Samson was a real estate agent after leaving modeling behind — and she has since joined a theater group.

Shandi Sullivan (Cycle 2)

Before joining America’s Next Top Model in 2004, Shandi Sullivan worked at her local Walgreens in Missouri. She nearly made it to the end of her season until she was sexually assaulted during a group trip to Italy. The assault was then used as a cheating story line.

She expressed frustration with Tyra Banks and producers before confirming she left modeling. Sullivan currently works with animals.

Bre Scullark (Cycle 5)

Bre Scullark, who now works with violent offenders to help their rehabilitation, pointed out how the show lacked in supporting Black women, contestants struggling with eating disorders and more.

Danielle Evans (Cycle 6)

Danielle Evans notably stayed longer during her season because she agreed to get rid of a gap in her teeth despite voicing issues with the medical procedure. She won her season but never found success as a model because of the stigma that came with appearing on America’s Next Top Model.

Danielle claimed she had a conversation with Tyra Banks, who admitted she knew the contestant wouldn’t succeed in the industry. The former model, who is no longer in the industry, said Tyra’s ‘ intentions in the beginning were good’ but ‘that s*** got lost.’

Joanie Dodds (Cycle 6)

In the doc, Joanie Dodds recalled having to get her teeth ripped out for a challenge. She consented to the procedure but claimed she didn’t realize the extent of the aftermath, which included “many orthodontic issues” that “never got fixed.”

Dodds admitted she would love to do America’s Next Top Model but not the same way. She has since found success on home improvement shows and that led to her owning her own business related to carpentry.

Dionne Walters (Cycle 8)

During her season, Dionne Walters had to do a photoshoot challenge where she posed as a victim of gun violence. Producers knew that Dionne’s mother was shot and paralyzed in real life, which she didn’t think was coincidental.

Dionne tried to make it in the modeling industry multiple times but it wasn’t successful. She also revealed she “wasn’t contacted” after being eliminated. Dionne is now a small business owner and a realtor.

Whitney Thompson (Cycle 10)

Whitney Thompson was the first plus-size winner of the show but that came with feeling self conscious. She recalled being given clothes that didn’t fit that she had to make work. While Whitney acknowledged that the show “didn’t age well,” it was “also a reflection of the time.” The ice cream shop owner expressed gratitude to Tyra Banks for opening the door for her to be on the show.

Keenyah Hill (Cycle 4)

Keenyah Hill recalled how her entire narrative on the show surrounded her weight. She said it made her feel dirty to see the damaging edits of her eating and the conversations surrounding her appearance. Hill also pointed to a challenge where a male model was ‘aggressively hitting” on her and touching her – but her attempt to get protection turned into her being shamed.

Tyra Banks defended the reaction by saying she offered the best advice she could at the time. Banks admitted Hill deserved more. In her confessional, Hill revealed she is a pose coach helping aspiring models.

Nature documentaries are often marketed as comfort viewing. You put one on, learn a few facts, admire the visuals, and maybe fall asleep halfway through. Nightmares of Nature is very much not that kind of show. While Netflix‘s documentary series Nightmares of Nature is about the natural world, it portrays it as a sinister place, like a scary movie. And for the most part, it is. Predators are lurking in the dark, waiting to catch their next meal. Safety can be short-lived, and luck is usually the decider of who survives.

Told via two speedy seasons and narrated by Maya Hawke, Nightmares of Nature makes animals’ lives seem anxiety-filled, often violent, and highly binge-watching-worthy. This isn’t a series that you just turn on to have in the background; it captures your attention and does a great job of holding it.

‘Nightmares of Nature’ is a Horror Lens on the Natural World

Image via Netflix

Produced by Blumhouse Television alongside Plimsoll Productions, Nightmares of Nature is built around a simple yet effective idea: to tell real animal survival stories in the language of horror cinema. Each season consists of three episodes set in a single environment, following several animals as their paths overlap. In Season One: Cabin in the Woods, the subjects are trapped in a decaying rural cabin that appears safe until it becomes highly dangerous; in Season Two: Lost in the Jungle, the setting shifts to a dense Costa Rican jungle, with an abandoned research facility as the series’ focal point. The intent is to use horror iconography as the basis of the series because it works.

The series uses close-ups, point-of-view shots, ominous sound cues, and slow pacing to prolong unsafe moments for as long as possible. There is an upfront disclaimer stating that some scenes are staged for clarity and safety, but the behavior itself is real. When an animal is caught, it is caught completely; there is no use of computer-generated imagery to smudge the edges.

Maya Hawke Sets the Tone

Hawke’s narration contributes significantly to the series’ success. The voice is slow and careful, with enough acting to convey the horror context without making the animals appear as cartoon villains or heroes.

Hawke has become a popular name after playing Robin Buckley in Stranger Things and has become one of Netflix’s more recognizable voices, so here she emphasizes the atmosphere over the exposition. She doesn’t rush with the explanations and keeps the stakes high — she usually does not tell the audience that things are okay, since in many cases they are not.

There are times when the narration almost oversteps and tells the audience how they should feel. More often than not, the narration gives added significance to moments that would otherwise have faded into one another in a standard wildlife documentary.

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‘Nightmares of Nature’ Was Designed for Short, Intense Viewing

Image via Netflix

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One of Nightmares of Nature’s smartest choices is its length. The series has only six episodes, so it does not feel drawn out. Each season tells a story with a defined arc and escalating tension, rather than disconnected vignettes. The series is visually appealing, with macro photography that gives viewers an extreme close-up of the creatures’ claws, fangs, and swift movements. The slow-motion shots allow the viewer to absorb critical moments of life or death and create an impression of gore without exceeding the bounds of a TV-PG rating. The series depicts the violence of the animal kingdom in a realistic manner.

The horror framing may not appeal to all viewers; some may find the dramatization overdone, and purists may prefer a more documentary style. However, this creates friction that interests the viewer. It’s trying to attract an audience that might not otherwise watch this kind of show.

Nightmares of Nature isn’t the scariest thing Netflix has ever released, but it is one of the more inventive. By borrowing horror’s structure and rhythm, it gives familiar animal stories new urgency and emotional stakes. It’s the kind of show that works best in short bursts — an episode or two at a time — before you realize you’ve finished an entire season. For viewers looking for something different from the usual true crime or slasher rotation, this is an easy recommendation.