He's not afraid of baring it all for the sake of his art, as he proved on film in 2008's Bronson.
So when the script for his latest project, mini-series Taboo, called for Tom Hardy to strip naked for a swim in a lake - the Hollywood star was more than obliging.
Busy filming scenes for the new BBC One and FX period collaboration in Essex last week, the Oscar nominee, 38, was forced to brave the elements and the cold water in nothing but his own skin.
The Revenant star has been busy filming scenes for the Georgian drama in the South East and London, and thanks to a bizarre plot twist was asked to strip naked and swim through a lake.
But never one to shy away from the more risque and eye-raising requests of a director, Tom promptly stripped out of his costume revealing his muscular physique with no sense of modesty.
Already sporting a plethora of tattoos on his body, the Mad Max actor appeared to have spent some time in the make-up department, as he sported a variety of new, intricate geometric and banded tattoos across his body.
Undressing on a boat in the middle of the grey water, accompanied by another member of the cast, the actor appeared in his element as they filmed the bracing scene.
Sporting wry grins mid-take, Tom covered his modesty with a burlap bag he had just shoved his costume into, as he shared a laugh with his co-star.
However it looked as though it was back to action stations after the brief giggle, as the actor took the plunge, and threw himself overboard into the grey and murky waters.
Splashing around in the cold waters, Tom swam and waded his way back to shore where he promptly made a show of climbing out the lake - carefully flexing his muscles as he went.
Once out of the water and with the scene presumably finished, the London-born star was seen chatting animatedly to members of the cast, wrapped up in a thermal outdoor clothing.
Clearly relaxed with the pace of filming and life on set, Tom quietly chatted away as he toked on a vaporizer.
For his latest role the actor has had his head shaved into a ragged fade 'do', while he is sporting a moustache and goatee for his role in the Victorian-based tale.
Taboo, due out later this year, tells the tale of adventurer James Keziah Delaney - who builds his own shipping empire in the early 1800s.
The mini-series, based on a story penned by Tom and his father Edward 'Chips' Hardy, sees Delaney return to Georgian Britain circa 1814 (during the Napoleon's second resurgence in Europe).
Following 10 years in Africa, Tom's character arrives back in London to discover that he has been left a mysterious legacy by his dead father.
Driven to wage a personal war of vengeance on those who have done him wrong, Delaney finds himself in conflict with the notorious and powerful East India Company, whilst also playing a dangerous game between two warring nations – Britain and the newly independent United States of America.
Directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, the eight-part American and British miniseries will also star House Of Cards actor Michael Kelly, Brazil star Jonathan Pryce and Game Of Thrones’ Oona Chaplin.
Polly Hill, Controller BBC Drama commissioning said in a statement: ‘The talent on-and off-screen is incredible and I am so excited to see Steve’s captivating scripts come to life.
‘Tom Hardy and the rest of the cast are set to bring this original and spectacular story to life in a unique and epic way.’
A release date has not been set for the series, but it is expected to air later this year on both BBC One and FX.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3436578/Tom-Hardy-strips-naked-set-period-drama-Taboo-Essex-lake.html#ixzz3zaz6leZY
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