Sir Stuart Strange

"The East India Company does not ask twice!"

- Strange warns James Delaney about his influence

"The Leviathan of the Seas, is it? The terrible shadow? The beast with a million eyes, and a million ears? Conquest, rape, plunder? I studied your methods in your school, and I know the evil that you do because I was once part of it."

- James Keziah Delaney refering to Strange and the East India Company Sir Stuart Strange is the main antagonist in the 2017 drama miniseries Taboo.

Strange is a ruthless, high-ranking member of the British East India Company. When his plan to obtain Nootka Sound, a piece of land in America, which would prove beneficial to the company after the end of the war with America, is foiled, he seeks to find a way to wring the land from its owner, James Keziah Delaney.

He is portrayed by Jonathan Pryce, who also portrayed Elliot Carver in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies and the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones.

Negotiations with James Delaney
"The issue today is Old Man Delaney, may he rot in hell. The death of that mad old bastard was welcome and, as whe thought at that time, beneficial for the Honorable East India."

- Strange, regarding Horace Delaney's demise

Stuart Strange is first seen discussing business with fellow members of the East India Company. Before their discussion comes to the recently deceased Mr. Horace Delaney, Strange reveals to his partners that his clerk will record everything that's said except if one of them raises his hand, in which case the words spoken will not be added to the protocol. The men then discuss Delaney, whom Strange seems to hold in contempt, calling him 'mad old bastard'. Strange reveals that the East India Company will not inherit anything from Delaney, contrasting what the men at the table believed. Strange welcomes Delaney's lawyer, Thoyt, who reveals to them that Delaney inherited everything he owned to his son James Keziah Delaney, who was presumed dead. Strange then asks one of his fellow companions, Wilton, to reveal to the table what is known about James. He is surprised when Wilton reveals that James was once a member of the East India Company and even served in Strange's regiment. However, he claims that he commanded so many of these 'little bastards' that he can hardly remember all of their names. Although the group is greatly amused about the description of James Delaney, who had traded with Indians and had lived in Africa, all of them are shocked when informed that Horace Delaney inherited Nootka Sound, a piece of land in America to James which the Company intended to buy from Delaney's half-sister. Stuart inquires whether their lawyers could possibly find a way to pry the will apart, but Thoyt reveals that he does not believe this to be the case. Disheartened, Stuart exclaims that their long negotiations with Delaney's daughter were in vain. At that moment one of the members raises his hand and asks whether they could just burn the will, as nobody has seen it yet. However, the men are informed that James Delaney would still have a natural priority over his sister, according to the law. Stuart then thanks Thoyt and dismisses him. Afterwards, the discussion shifts to Delaney's travels and his supposed demise. The man who is reporting this, Pettifer, also adds that there have been rumors regarding Delaney which he did not add into his report. Strange asks nonetheless. Although Pettifer seems reluctant to answer the question, he still answers it, however, he raises his hand beforehand to keep the answer off the record. The next day, the East India Company invites James Delaney to a meeting. The meeting is attended by Strange, Pettifer, Abraham Appelby and Wilton. Once Delaney enters the room, Pettifer introduces the men in the room, lastly naming Strange as the chairman of the East India Company. Remembering what Wilton told him earlier, Strange acts as if he remembered that Delaney were his cadett once. Talk then shifts to business and the members of the Company try to convince Delaney to sell them Nootka Sound, claiming that it is not valuable for Delaney as America and Great Britain are currently at war. However, Delaney shrewdly answers that he is aware that secret peace negotiations are currently ongoing between both nations and that Nootka Sound would give the person who owns it legal entitlement to the entire island of Vancouver, which is the gateway to China, once the war is done. When Delaney even hints that the Americans might be interested in the land, Strange angrily bursts out that Delaney, as a British subject, owes a debt of loyalty to his King and country. The other Company men try to calm him down and attempt to convince Delaney by offering him a large sum of money, however, Delaney claims that Nootka Sound is not for sale. When Strange opens his mouth once more, Delaney interrupts him, refering to the East India Company and Strange especially as the 'Leviathan of the Seas', bent on conquest, rape and plunder.

Strange then claims that he will give Delaney one last chance to sell the land for a reasonable price. After Delaney declines again, Strange signals his clerk to stop writing, angrily lashing out at Delaney the moment the clerk puts down his quill. Instead of showing any sign of intimidation Delaney quietly stands up, bids the men farewell and leaves. After Delaney has left the room, Strange sits down, claiming that the son is 'as unstable as the father'. Claiming that he had hoped to settle the matter in a 'modern' way, Strange remarks that it seems that this will not be possible. He then tells Pettifer that Delaney is all his.