James Delaney (Taboo)
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| James Delaney | |
|---|---|
| Taboo character | |
| Portrayed by | Tom Hardy |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | James Keziah Delaney |
| Alias | Devil Delaney |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Nationality | British |
James Keziah Delaney is a fictional character and the mystical dark amoral protagonist in the 2017 FX/BBC series Taboo, he is portrayed by Tom Hardy.[1]
Background
Delaney is an adventurer and a businessman, who returns to London in 1814, after 12 years in Africa, to attend the funeral of his father Horace Delaney. He is shrouded in mystery and preceded by wild rumours. He is known as 'Devil Delaney' many people fear him though he is not an outcast from society and is seems he attracts a great deal of curious respect for his drive and ruthless ambition to achieve his goals.[2][3]
Delaney is viewed by London society with great suspicion and dark rumors about the man are rampant. He is known as a very dangerous individual, with many hints that he practices dark arts that he learned in Africa.[4] Delaney is a dangerous blend of numerous literary characters such as Marlow from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Hannibal Lecter, with a dash of werewolf for good measure.[5][6][7]
Appearance and personality
James is an amoral adventurer, enigmatic and mysterious, with a dark and violent nature. His character is cold, direct and inexorable. James follows his plans and ideas in a ruthless manner, never doubting them. He indulges in special rituals, he believes and just might be able to talk to the dead. He is can communicate and interact through 'black magic' with his half-sister Zilpha.
James is totally amoral and has been having a sexual relationship with his half sister Zilpha the predates his 1814 return from Africa, they share the same father. He has a mystic connection with his long dead mother who was acquired by his father from a tribe around Nootka sound. During his training at the East India Company, James proved to be an outstanding cadet, an expert in all manner of weapons, fighting, and survival.
Delaney may have psychopathic tendencies and has no problem in killing when it is needed, but appears to possess a code of morality that seems to garner respect from his both his friends and enemies.[8]
James is a man in his early thirties with a compact and muscular frame, he is very capable as a knife fighter and is known to disembowel his opponents. Delaney has a high pain threshold and is able to resist extreme torture and abuse. He has a scarred face, and blue eyes. James has numerous tribal tattoos all over his body, made during his stay in Africa.[9]
References
- ^ "Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney | Taboo on FX". FX. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ "'Taboo' Premiere Recap: Darkness Buried at the Regular Depth". Observer. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Major, Andrea (2017-02-24). "Taboo: the East India Company and the true horrors of empire". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Travers, Ben (2017-02-16). "A Chat With Tom Hardy: Is His 'Taboo' Killer a True Shaman or 'Just F***ing Mad'?". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ "'Taboo': We Finally Know What James Delaney Is So Mad About". Yahoo Entertainment. 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ spectralvisions (2017-02-22). "The contemporary Byronic hero with reference to the character of James Keziah Delaney in the historical drama 'Taboo'". Spectral Visions. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ White, Adam (2017-01-20). "Taboo and the supernatural: is James Delaney a werewolf?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Gilbert, Sophie (2017-01-10). "FX's 'Taboo' Stars Tom Hardy as a Ferocious 19th-Century Killer With Secret Pain". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ "Taboo: a jewel to vindicate with a brutal Tom Hardy" (in Spanish). Retrieved September 16, 2021.