Shirtless Tom Hardy shows off his tattoos and muscles as he cuts a brooding figure in official sneak peek for new TV series Taboo

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He cause the internet to nearly crash when he was pictured stripping naked to film scenes for the show in February.

And in a new official sneak-peak for the up-coming FX show Taboo, Tom Hardy has stripped off once-again to showcase his hulking physique and menacing character.

Introducing his roguish character, the explorer James Keziah Delaney, the 38-year-old actor is pictured wading shirtless through the foreboding waters of a swamp.

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Menacing: in a new official sneak-peak for the up-coming FX show Taboo, Tom Hardy has stripped off once-again to showcase his hulking physique and menacing character

The first official teaser released ahead of the period drama's debut later this year sets the scene for the regency drama.

Captured on camera wading through murky waters, the tattooed and muscular form of Delaney can be seen traversing a swampy lake - giving fans a glimpse of the rugged character in full.

With the water lapping around his waist, the British explorer looks calm and collected as he traverses the body of water.

James, an adventurer who's returned home to England, certainly looks to have experience an exotic life.

An adventurous life: Introducing his roguish character, the explorer James Keziah Delaney, the 38-year-old actor is pictured wading shirtless through the foreboding waters of a swamp

Tattooed in geometric symbols, the hardy explorer cuts an imposing figure as shadows play across his face and body - half-obscuring his features and highlighting his muscles.

With his face obscured by the murky light, Tom's famous features are just recognisable thanks to a halo of light around his head.

With his short hair ruffled and a wispy short beard adorning his jaw-line, The Dark Knight Rises actor looks a far-cry from his last TV outing in the BBC's Peaky Blinders.

Battered and bruised? The tattooed and muscular form of Delaney can be seen traversing a swampy lake - giving fans a glimpse of the rugged character in full

Having played tough but shrewd gang leader Alfie Solomons, gone are the suits, walking cane and bushy beard - replaced with raw muscle and a grim visage.

In the clip, the actor can be hear elaborating on his character's grim powers and troubled past, as he whispers:

'I know things about the dead. When I left from Africa, I though I was mad.'

As he says these words a haunting figure is seen in the swamp, all hollow eyes, dark hair and grim in face. 

This footage looks to have been taken while Tom was filming a scene for the FX and BBC project in February.

His tale: Taboo tells the tale of adventurer James Keziah Delaney - who builds his own shipping empire in the early 1800s

At the time the Legend star was seen stripping naked in Essex and wading through a freezing cold lake surrounded by a production crew. 

Taboo 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 Britain circa 1814 (during 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 - who has been murdered. 

Long ago: The mini-series, based on a story penned by Tom and his father Edward 'Chips' Hardy, sees Delaney return to Britain circa 1814

Out for revenge: 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 - who has been murdered

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 of 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. 

Spooky happenings: 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