The 10 Most Impressively Jacked British Actors to Hit the Screen in 2017

Americans often like to think they’re the best at everything—particularly the art of getting jacked. And considering the U.S. of A. is the birthplace of CrossFit’s brutal (and insanely effective) WODs, Mark Wahlberg and his stacked biceps, and the hilarious superhuman that is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, it’s not hard to see why.

But take a peek across the pond, and you’ll realize we Yanks have some serious competition on our hands—especially when it comes to cranking out superfit actors.

Henry Cavill’s got one of the most chiseled bodies in the Western hemisphere. (Also, he is freaking Superman.) Tom Hardy’s one of the most badass dudes to ever step into the industry. And those are just two of the ridiculously jacked British-born actors to hit the screen this year.

Here are 10 of the most ripped British actors of 2017—and here’s to hoping that Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, and Zac Efron (and you, dear reader) keep crushing their workouts. For pride’s sake.

Watch out for an epic showdown between Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey in the much-anticipated film The Dark Tower, which hits theaters August 4. To get in badass shape to play The Gunslinger in the dark fantasy film, Elba (a real-life kickboxer) crushed gym workouts on the daily—and even documented them on Instagram.

If you’re going to take on the role of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time, then you’ve got to have the body—and the fitness—to back it up. British-born Tom Holland was more than ready to put in the physical work to get a lean, well-defined physique to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in this summer’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Henry Cavill may play one of America’s most iconic superheroes, but the Superman-shredded actor was actually born in Jersey on the Channel Islands. Still, the actor’s chiseled jawline, jacked biceps, and acting chops allow him to pull off an out-of-this-world performance on the silver screen.

John Boyega may still be a relatively fresh face in Hollywood, but he’s no stranger to the gym. He put in serious time at the gym to become the shredded Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance fighter he plays in the new Star Wars flms.

Ricky Whittle was born in Oldham, England. With a rippling six-pack and little body fat, he’s got one of the most shredded bodies on our list—which makes sense, considering he stars on the television series American Gods.

Tom Hardy is one of the most badass actors in the industry, with an impressive set of roles (like the physically dominating Bane in The Dark Knight Rises)—and an even more impressive physique—to back it up.

Newcastle-born Charlie Hunnam got into special sword-wielding shape for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, but he’s been jacked since he made his big break into the television industry on Sons of Anarchy.

Birkenhead-born Taron Egerton stars in one of the funniest spy films to ever hit the big screen, Kingsman: The Secret Service, but getting into shape for the role was no joke. Look out for the film’s hilarious sequel set in the U.S.—Kingsman: The Golden Circle—when it hits theaters this summer.

Jon Snow may know nothing, but the man who plays him—London-born Kit Harington—certainly knows a thing or two about fitness. The lean Game of Thrones actor bared it all in Season 6 when—SPOILER ALERT—his character was brought back to life, and in Season 7, he’s prepared to lay it all on the line to survive “the great wars to come.”

You probably remember Alex Pettyfer best for his role in Magic Mike in 2012, where he played a buff college dropout-turned-male stripper. These days, Pettyfer is still crushing the film industry and his workouts (based on his recent Instagram posts that show off his insane six-pack).