Tom Hardy smokes 'Shisha Pen' between takes on the set of new Kray twins biopic Legend... before shooting pivotal scene with screen wife Emily Browning



Acting can be a stressful business, harder still when you’re tasked with the job of playing two prominent characters in the same film – but fortunately for Tom Hardy, he resisted the urge to light up a relaxing cigarette between takes.



The 36-year-old actor plays Ronnie AND Reggie Kray in a forthcoming film, titled Legend, about the notorious London gangsters, charting their rise and subsequent fall during the 1950s and ‘60s.



Taking a short break on Sunday afternoon Hardy eschewed a calming smoke, opting instead for a healthier – and increasingly popular – E Shisha Pen, a bizarre looking pipe that replaces toxin heavy nicotine with liquid steam.



Here he comes: Tom Hardy takes a welcome break on the set of his new film, in which he plays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray

The hunky actor was joined on set by Australian co-star Emily Browning as they prepared to shoot a pivotal scene in which Ronnie meets future wife Frances Shea, played by Browning, for the first time.

As the production team readied the exterior set, Hardy and his 25-year-old cast-mate enjoyed a casual chat on the stoop of a traditional East End terrace.



Sporting a dapper two-piece suit, crisp white shirt and maroon pencil tie the actor looked the part as feared gangster Reggie, while Browning kept her sixties ensemble covered by a white towelling robe.

Light relief: The 36-year-old actor opted to puff on the increasingly popular E Shisha Pen instead of a cigarette during his short break on Sunday Ready to roll: The actor, dressed as Ronnie Kray, was shooting a pivotal scene with Australian actress Emily Browning, who plays future wife Frances Shea Dapper: Hardy wore a smart two-piece suit, crisp white shirt and maroon pencil tie for his role as feared gangster Reggie Kray

However it was soon removed as they prepared to shoot another scene, revealing a loose fitting orange sweater.



Hardy looked to have bulked up for his dual role as the Krays – who were both amateur boxers before rising to prominence as club owners in the 1960s.



The forthcoming film also stars David Thewlis and Christopher Eccleston, but the supporting cast have yet to be seen on the east London set.

What;s her number? Hardy appears to be searching for the right house as cameras roll on Sunday Quiet on set: Hardy and Browning prepare to shoot a scene in which Reggie meets Frances for the first time Don't mind us: The two co-stars idle on a door-stoop between takes Taking a break: Browning wears a white toweling robe as she chats to British hunk Hardy on Sunday

Let's get to work: Hardy looks ready for another scene as cameras stop rolling for another break in the production

At Cannes this year there was a lot of interest in the film, with the response from buyers that it 'was one of the best scripts' they'd come across.



Confirming the news in April, Tom said: 'I'm on that right now. I've got to work out how to play both twins, which will be fun. It's another experiment and I'm really looking forward to it.



'I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself, I just want to have some fun. The more of a challenge I give myself, the easier it is to take on more projects which are complicated in the future.'

Looking the part: Harry idles between takes dressed as Reggie Kray Major role: Australian actress Emily Browning will play Reggie Kray's first wife Frances Shea in the forthcoming film Plenty to talk about: Hardy and Browning enjoy a friendly chat on Sunday

Ronnie and Reggie were born on 25 October 1933 in Hoxton, and first attended Wood Close School in Brick Lane before going onto Daniel Street School.



In 1938, the Kray family moved from Hoxton to Bethnal Green, at 178 Vallance Road.

The film is expected to be released early next year.