Tom Hardy strips naked on set of period drama Taboo as he shows off his muscular physique and painted on tattoos after skinny-dipping in freezing lake

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. 

Stripping off: Busy filming scenes for the new BBC One and FX period collaboration, Taboo, in Essex last week, Tom Hardy 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.

Daring to bare: The Revenant star, 38, 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 freezing cold lake

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. 

Time to embrace the role: The British star seemed unphased as the camera rolled while he undressed in the rocking boat

Showing some skin: Shirtless and showing off some new body art, the actor cast brooding looks as he stuffed his costume into a burlap sack

Skin deep: Already sporting a plethora of tattoos on his body, the actor appeared to have spent some time in the make-up department, as he wore a variety of new, intricate geometric and banded tattoos across his body

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.

Not shying away from the role: 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

Getting the giggles? Sporting a wry grin mid-take, Tom covered his modesty with a burlap bag he had just shoved his costume into - while he and his co-star shared a laugh 

Sharing is caring: The two actors appeared to have a fit of the giggles during the scene

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). 

One last breath: The actor stood up to his full height in the boat, showing off his hulking frame, before leaping into the water

Easy does it: Leaning overboared, Tom threw modesty to the wind and prepared himself for the cold

A leap of faith: Shoving his body over the side of the boat , the actor committed himself to a huge jump

Making waves: Splashing down into the water Tom appaered to keep his head, and being the consuamte professioanl stayed in character

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.

Running for shore: Wading and splashing ashore, The actor showed off more off the fake body art his body had been painted with

Almost there: Surging through the cold waters, the actor's flesh turned red as the cold started to seep in, however, he managed to remain in character

Casually does it: Tome sauntered away onto the grass as the crew filmed his exit into the cold wind

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.

At ease: Clearly relaxed with the pace of filming and life on set, Tom quietly chatted away as he toked on a vaporizer

A new adventure: Taboo, due out later this year, tells the tale of adventurer James Keziah Delaney - who builds his own shipping empire in the early 1800s