Chris Hemsworth, best known as Thor in Marvel’s superhero films, is no stranger to extreme challenges. But his latest battles are less about saving the universe and more about confronting the hard truths of ageing, fear, and his own mortality.
The 41-year-old Australian actor returns for a second season of Limitless, a National Geographic series that pushes him beyond physical stunts and into deep personal reflection. “The first season almost killed me,” Hemsworth told the BBC. “And I thought, ‘never again.’”
Yet he’s back-and this time it’s even more personal.
(National Geographic/Evan Paterakis)
In the new season, Hemsworth doesn’t just hang from dizzying heights or endure punishing workouts. He also picks up a drumstick-joining Ed Sheeran on stage after learning to play drums for the first time—and climbs a 600-foot Alpine dam inspired by his children’s fearless nature.
“Being thrown into unfamiliar places, facing risk, it reminds you how fragile life is,” he said. “You start seeing every moment as something to be appreciated.”
The emotional anchor of the series comes from a revelation Hemsworth faced in season one: a genetic test revealed he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, putting him at significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
“That warning sign was further motivation to take care of myself,” he said. “It was also a chance to educate people. So many families are dealing with this.”
Rather than obsess over anti-ageing, Hemsworth says he’s more interested in living well-emotionally, physically, and socially. He’s wary of extreme lifestyles promoted by high-profile biohackers like Bryan Johnson, who spends millions attempting to reverse the ageing process.
“You want to live longer and better-but at what cost?” Hemsworth asked. “There’s no point doing all of that if you’re lonely or missing out on joy. I’m going to put energy into my health, but I also want to enjoy life.”
Johnson, a tech entrepreneur, is known for his strict daily routine, supplements, and even plasma transfusions. Hemsworth, while curious, doesn’t see himself going down the same path.
“I like dipping in and out of those ideas,” he said. “But if you’re too locked into one way of thinking, you shut out other options.”
He adds: “We haven’t figured out how to cheat death-and I don’t think we will. We have to embrace death.”
This philosophy shapes how Hemsworth approaches life-and fatherhood. He lives in Byron Bay with his wife, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, and their three children. He says parenting helped change his perspective on fear and risk.
“If you were told you had 200 guaranteed years, you’d get complacent,” he said. “But knowing life can be taken at any moment-it’s a beautiful reason to value every second.”
Hemsworth says he was moved by feedback from people of all ages who watched the first season. “Young kids, parents, grandparents-they told me it made them think about their own lives differently. That meant a lot.”
As for the big screen, Hemsworth is not done with Thor just yet. He’s set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, due out in late 2026. Asked whether another solo Thor film is in the works, he remained cautious.
“I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll have to see where this one goes. I’m still unpacking all of that. It’s something I certainly love, so we’ll see what happens.”
Away from the camera, Hemsworth appears to be in a new phase of his life-more curious than ever, and more focused on what truly matters.
“This experience reminded me what I’m giving and what I’m receiving,” he said. “No one thrives on their own. That’s something I carry with me now.”
About the Author
