Chris Hemsworth has admitted that the first season of his National Geographic series Limitless “almost killed” him, as he returned for the premiere of its second instalment in London. The Australian actor, best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted the premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Wednesday evening.
He was joined on the red carpet by his wife Elsa Pataky, their sons Tristan and Sasha, his parents Leonie and Craig Hemsworth, and brother Liam Hemsworth with Gabriella Brooks. In Limitless: Live Better Now, Hemsworth once again pushes his mental and physical limits to discover the secrets to living longer, healthier and more fulfilled lives.
The new series sees him take on challenges including climbing a 600-foot frozen wall in the Swiss Alps, training with South Korea's elite special forces, and drumming during an Ed Sheeran concert. Following the screening, Hemsworth reflected on what inspired him to film a second season after the toll of the first.
The 41-year-old told the audience: “The first season almost killed me, emotionally and physically. I don’t know if that was by design or intention. Each time I overcame one of the challenges, there was this sort of kick of elation and endorphins… a sense of achievement.” He said the positive response from viewers, including his children's classmates, motivated him to return.
Hemsworth described season one as a learning curve where he was “the guinea pig,” but with Live Better Now, he took on more of a journalistic role. Over two years and across six countries, he enlisted doctors, MMA fighters, neuroscientists and other specialists to confront challenges related to pain, fear, memory and cognitive decline. He joked that the physical demands never got easier: “Throughout the second season I kept asking the same question, ‘what the hell am I doing?’”
Limitless: Live Better Now season two will be available to stream on Disney+ UK from August 15.
