While not historical like Taboo, Black Mirror offers a similarly dark and often unsettling look at humanity, though through the lens of technology and its potential consequences. This anthology series presents standalone episodes, each exploring a different near-future scenario where technological advancements have unforeseen and often disturbing impacts on society and individuals. Created by Charlie Brooker, the show is known for its sharp writing, thought-provoking premises, and often bleak conclusions. It's a series that holds a mirror up to contemporary fears and anxieties about the digital age. Each episode is a self-contained story, allowing for a wide range of tones and ideas, but consistently maintaining a critical and often cynical perspective on the future. It's a show that will make you question your relationship with technology and the direction society is heading.

Sharing Taboo's intricate plotting and exploration of complex moral questions, Westworld is a sophisticated science fiction series set in a futuristic Western-themed amusement park where guests can live out their wildest fantasies with android 'hosts.' The show quickly delves into the hosts' dawning sentience and a rebellion against their creators, exploring themes of consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality. Known for its non-linear storytelling, philosophical depth, and stunning visuals, the series demands attention and rewards close viewing. The cast is stellar, including Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, and Jeffrey Wright. While its setting is futuristic with historical elements (the Western park), its focus on deep mysteries, character agency, and the darker aspects of control and power resonate with the complexities found in Taboo.

While set in a very different era and tone than Taboo, Stranger Things shares a core element of confronting a mysterious, dark force that threatens the known world. This massively popular series is a love letter to 1980s sci-fi, horror, and adventure, following a group of kids in a small town who encounter supernatural events and a mysterious girl with telekinetic powers after their friend goes missing. The show excels at blending genuine scares with heartfelt character moments and a strong sense of nostalgia. Its young cast is incredibly talented, and the series features compelling performances from actors like Winona Ryder and David Harbour. The creature design and effects are top-notch, creating a genuinely terrifying parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. It's an engaging adventure with a dark undercurrent, perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries.

For viewers who appreciate the darker, more visceral elements found in shows like Taboo, The Strain delivers a horrifying take on a vampire epidemic. Created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, based on their novel trilogy, the series begins when a plane lands at JFK Airport with everyone aboard dead, save for a few survivors, setting off a terrifying viral outbreak that turns victims into monstrous vampires. It's a story of a diverse group of survivors, led by CDC scientist Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, fighting against the spread of this ancient evil. The show is known for its gruesome creature design and intense, action-packed sequences. It offers a more biological and plague-like approach to vampirism, grounding the horror in a chillingly plausible scenario. It's a thrilling and often terrifying battle for survival against a relentless enemy.

If you enjoy the blend of dark themes and the fight against malevolent forces seen in Taboo, but prefer a more episodic structure with a focus on brotherly bonds, Supernatural offers a long-running saga of monster hunting. The series follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel across America hunting demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. While it has overarching plotlines involving angels, demons, and the apocalypse, much of the show's charm lies in its diverse array of creatures and the dynamic between the two leads, portrayed by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. The show isn't afraid to mix horror with humor and explore complex mythological arcs. It built a massive and dedicated fanbase over its impressive fifteen-season run. It's a show about family, sacrifice, and the endless battle against the forces of darkness.

For those drawn to the mystery and uncovering of dark conspiracies in shows like Taboo, The X-Files is an absolute classic. This iconic series follows FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unexplained cases involving the paranormal, aliens, and vast government cover-ups. Mulder, a believer, is driven by the disappearance of his sister, while Scully, a skeptic and scientist, provides the rational counterpoint. The show masterfully blends standalone 'Monster-of-the-Week' episodes with a complex overarching mythology centered on an alien colonization plot. Its influence on science fiction and supernatural television is immense. Did you know the show's famous tagline, 'The Truth Is Out There,' became a cultural phenomenon? It's a series that taps into paranoia and the enduring human fascination with the unknown, creating a perfect blend of suspense and intrigue.

While perhaps less gritty and more overtly supernatural than Taboo, True Blood shares a penchant for dark themes and exploring the hidden, often dangerous, aspects of society. Set in a fictional Louisiana town, the series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls for a vampire as vampires attempt to integrate into human society thanks to a synthesized blood product. Based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, the show quickly expands its world to include a wide array of supernatural creatures like werewolves, faeries, and witches. It’s known for its blend of horror, romance, and Southern Gothic atmosphere, tackling themes of prejudice, identity, and faith. The series isn't afraid to be provocative and often leans into its more pulpy elements, creating a unique, often wild, ride.

Sharing Taboo's embrace of dark themes and often utilizing historical settings, American Horror Story offers a wildly different, yet equally compelling, take on horror. As an anthology series, each season tells a completely self-contained story with a new setting, characters, and terrifying premise. From haunted houses and insane asylums to witch covens and cults, the show explores a vast array of horror tropes and historical periods. The rotating cast, featuring powerhouses like Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Evan Peters, consistently delivers captivating performances, often playing multiple roles across different seasons. The series is known for its bold visuals, unexpected twists, and willingness to push boundaries. While not always historical like Taboo, its willingness to dive into darkness and explore unsettling aspects of human nature and history makes it a kindred spirit in tone.

If the mysterious, atmospheric, and often surreal elements of Taboo appeal to you, then you absolutely must visit Twin Peaks. Created by the visionary David Lynch and Mark Frost, this series begins with the investigation into the murder of high school student Laura Palmer, but quickly spirals into a journey through the eccentric inhabitants and dark secrets of a seemingly idyllic small town. The show is a masterclass in building mood and suspense, blending elements of crime procedural, supernatural horror, and avant-garde surrealism. Its unique tone, strange humor, and genuinely unsettling moments have made it a cultural touchstone. Kyle MacLachlan is perfectly cast as the quirky and insightful FBI Agent Dale Cooper. The show's influence on television is undeniable, proving that audiences were hungry for something truly different and challenging. It's a show that invites interpretation and discussion, leaving you pondering its mysteries long after the credits roll.

Delving into the dark psychology of its characters, much like Taboo explores the inner turmoil of James Delaney, Bates Motel serves as a contemporary prequel to the classic film Psycho. It offers a haunting look at the formative years of Norman Bates and his complex, often disturbing, relationship with his mother, Norma. Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore are absolutely phenomenal as the central duo, portraying a bond that is both deeply loving and profoundly unhealthy. The series expertly blends psychological thriller elements with small-town drama and moments of genuine horror. It's fascinating to see the origins of such an iconic character explored in depth, adding new layers to a story we thought we knew. The show manages to maintain suspense while also crafting deeply sympathetic, albeit troubled, characters. It's a compelling character study wrapped in a chilling narrative.

For fans of Taboo's dark tone and focus on a compelling, complex male protagonist, Hannibal offers a modern, yet equally atmospheric, psychological deep dive. This series reimagines the early relationship between FBI profiler Will Graham and the brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, before Lecter is exposed as a serial killer. Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen deliver performances that are nothing short of electric, exploring the twisted dynamics of their intellectual and psychological connection. The show is visually stunning, with a focus on macabre artistry and dreamlike sequences that mirror the characters' fractured psyches. It's less about jump scares and more about the creeping dread and intellectual sparring between two extraordinary minds. Did you know Mads Mikkelsen specifically avoided rewatching Anthony Hopkins' iconic portrayal to create his own unique version of the character? It's a show that pushes boundaries in its exploration of horror and human nature.

Step right up to the strange and mysterious world of Carnivàle, a series unlike any other, sharing Taboo's penchant for historical setting, deep mystery, and a sense of unfolding destiny. Set during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, it follows a young man with strange powers who joins a traveling carnival and becomes entangled in an ancient struggle between good and evil, represented by two powerful figures. The show is renowned for its incredible atmosphere, intricate mythology, and stunning visuals that capture the desolation and wonder of the period. Its narrative unfolds slowly, building layers of symbolism and character backstories, creating a truly immersive puzzle. The cast is fantastic, led by Nick Stahl and Clancy Brown, who bring depth to their enigmatic roles. Carnivàle sadly only ran for two seasons, but it has garnered a dedicated cult following for its ambition and unique artistic vision. It's a series that leaves a lasting impression, full of cryptic clues and a pervasive sense of fate.

If you crave gothic atmosphere, complex characters, and a rich blend of classic horror literature, then Penny Dreadful is an absolute must-watch companion to Taboo. Set in Victorian London, this series weaves together iconic figures like Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and Dracula into a wholly original and compelling narrative. Eva Green delivers a truly mesmerizing performance as Vanessa Ives, a woman grappling with inner demons and external threats. The show excels at building a sense of dread and beauty simultaneously, exploring themes of faith, identity, and the monstrous within. The production design and costuming are exquisite, transporting you to a world both elegant and terrifying. It's a show that rewards attention to detail, with layers of symbolism and literary references embedded throughout. The commitment of the cast, particularly Green, Timothy Dalton, and Josh Hartnett, elevates the dark, poetic scripts into something truly special. It's a series that understands the power of suggestion and the enduring allure of classic monsters.

Step into the grime and shadows of 1814 London with Taboo, a series that drips with atmosphere and intrigue. At its heart is James Delaney, portrayed with captivating intensity by Tom Hardy, who also co-created the show with his father, Chips Hardy, and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Delaney returns from years presumed dead in Africa to claim his inheritance – a small, but strategically crucial, piece of land on the Nootka Sound. This sets him against the powerful East India Company and the British Crown, plunging him into a world of conspiracy, betrayal, and dark secrets. The show is a masterclass in mood, using stark visuals and a haunting score by Max Richter to create a truly immersive experience. Hardy's performance is a force of nature, embodying a man shaped by hardship and mystery. Did you know Hardy extensively researched the period and drew inspiration from figures like the explorer John Clunies-Ross? The series is a deep dive into the murky underbelly of historical power struggles, laced with hints of the supernatural and a raw, visceral energy that keeps you hooked.