James Keziah Delaney is a fictional character and the dark amoral protagonist in the 2017 FX/BBC One television series Taboo, in which he is portrayed by Tom Hardy.
He is known as 'Devil Delaney' many people fear him though he is not an outcast from society as it seems he attracts a great deal of curious respect for his drive and ruthless ambition to achieve his goals.
[5] 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.
The issue of Nootka sound is at the heart of Delaney's various activities, his hatred of the East India Company also drives a lot of his sinister plans.
He has a mystic connection with his long dead mother who was acquired by his father from a tribe around Nootka sound located in modern day Vancouver, Canada.
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 reservations in killing his opponents when it is needed, but he appears to possess his own code of dark morality that seems to garner respect from his both his friends and enemies.