Hardy tale takes few strange turns

Taboo BBC iplayer ●●●● ●

A strange-but-fascinating beast stars a never more grunty Tom Hardy as adventurer James Keziah Delaney.

The 1812 London setting is mud-caked, often rain-soaked, and full of debauchery and strange occurrences.

One of Taboo’s best traits is the otherworldy atmosphere show creators Hardy, his dad Chips and Steven Mcknight serve up.

Witchcraft and possible supernatural goings-on gel surprisingly well with espionage and Machiavellian schemes, complimented by Max Richter’s throbbing score.