TV

Tom Hardy weighs in on ‘Taboo’ character’s sex life

Taboo

Tuesday, 10 p.m., FX

As brooding loner James Delaney in “Taboo,” British actor Tom Hardy cuts an enigmatic figure. In the premiere, Delaney barges into his father’s funeral, shocking all the mourners, including his half-sister and brother-in-law, who thought he was dead. The sole beneficiary of his father’s estate, Delaney is in a position to bring the East India Company, which wants a piece of land in the Pacific Northwest owned by Delaney, to its knees. Before long, the handsome adventurer has no shortage of enemies — and a collection of people who have their hands out, claiming some connection to the late Delaney patriarch.

In this week’s episode, the East India Company hierarchy makes good on its attempt to make Delaney’s life difficult. Hardy, 39, spoke to The Post about the genesis of the series and explained a few of its mysteries.

Why did you want to star in a television series at this point in your career?
I wanted to honor period drama as part of the legacy of [Britain] in the arts. They’re important as entertainment. My father, Chips Hardy, and Steve Knight wrote this. I had a conversation about nine years ago with my father about a character I’d really like to play. The character came from me playing Bill Sikes [in a BBC production of “Oliver Twist” in 2007].

Why is Delaney so hard to read?
We don’t often see inside his head. Is he suffering from post-traumatic stress and how does it manifest itself when you don’t have psychoanalysis? There’s also a tattoo on his back. A bird named Sankofa. He’s covered in marks from being in Africa that have yet to be explained.

Delaney is approached by a total stranger who tells him his father begot a son that he raised and now he expects a financial reward. Why should Delaney believe him?
Back in the day there were bastards born all the time. The boy, Robert, is a ward of the father, and Delaney is repaying his father’s debts. Robert will return in the story.

Delaney doesn’t seem to invite the attentions of the opposite sex, although they are certainly on offer. Is he not into having company?
He can’t feel anything. He’s not trying to meet anyone. If there was a romance, how do you deal with someone who’s really damaged or sexualize him when somebody has been through the things he’s been through?

When Delaney meets with the staff of the East India Company, he recognizes one of the men, who turns out to be a former intimate boarding school mate. Where does their reunion take place?
In a mollyhouse. It’s a drag place where Godfrey (Edward Hogg) is dressed as a woman. Of all the people he meets, Godfrey and James would seem to be the hot item.

And here’s what else to watch this week:

Black-ish

Wednesday, 9:30 p.m., ABC
Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) convinces Dre (Anthony Anderson) to try therapy, and he learns how to cope with his anger issues. Meanwhile, Johan (Daveed Diggs) becomes a life coach to the kids.

Homeland

Sunday, 9 p.m., Showtime
Season premiere.
Carrie (Claire Danes) is in the ’hood — Bed-Stuy, to be exact — living in a brownstone and working at a foundation that helps Muslim Americans being profiled by the US government. Meanwhile, Quinn (Rupert Friend) is a patient at a very sketchy VA hospital. CIA vaudevillians Dar (F. Murray Abraham) and Saul (Mandy Patinkin) brief President-elect Keane (Elizabeth Marvel) on national security matters.

Beaches

Saturday, 8 p.m., Lifetime
You remember the 1988 blockbuster with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey (and her lips). You remember “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the theme song that won a 1990 Grammy award for Song of the Year. Now is your chance to hear it again, as the chick flick has been remade for the small screen, with Broadway’s Idina Menzel taking the Midler role as an aspiring singer, and Nia Long playing the doomed friend, Hillary. Their relationship, even with its ups and downs, sustains them through life — and death.

Fresh Off the Boat

Tuesday, 9 p.m., ABC
When Louis (Randall Park) is named “Small Businessman of the Year,” Jessica (Constance Wu) beams with pride. She invites everyone they know to join them at the awards ceremony. But when Louis forgets to thank her during his acceptance speech, he suffers repercussions at home.

The Young Pope

Sunday and Monday, 9 p.m., HBO

Gianni Fiorito/HBO

Series premiere. Former film star Jude Law (inset) stars in this 10-part miniseries that follows the reign of a fictitious pope, Pius XIII, the first American pontiff. Vatican protocol means little to the former Lenny Belardo, a closet atheist whose behavior irks the cardinals who resent his ascension. To help him deal with his new job, Pius flies in Sister Mary (Diane Keaton), the nun who raised him at an orphanage, to be his adviser.

Victoria

Sunday, 9 p.m., PBS
Series premiere.
In the two-hour “Masterpiece” debut, Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) ascends the British throne at age 18. She’s headstrong and naive, and surrounded by a royal pack of vipers vying to take over for her. Thankfully, the prime minister, Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), is there to lend a helping hand and offer a gentle word.

Star

Wednesday, 9 p.m., Fox
Carlotta (Queen Latifah) searches for the truth about Simone’s (Brittany O’Grady, below right, with Jude Demorest, center, and Ryan Destiny, left) past, as a familiar face reaches out for Jahil’s (Benjamin Bratt) help. Meanwhile, Miss Bruce (Miss Lawrence) works on preparing Carlotta’s salon to compete in a hair show, even arranging for the amazing Gladys Knight to introduce a showcase, which includes a live performance from the show’s stars.

Carin Baer/FOX