
He is one of Hollywood's long-standing hunks after years of smouldering on-screen.

And Jude Law proved just why on Monday as threw himself into filming The New Pope in Venice as he follows up the series where he originally starred as the role of Lenny Belardo, later Pope Pius XIII, Archbishop of New York.

The 46-year-old displayed his incredible frame in a pair of barely-there white swimming trunks while strutting along the beach hand-in-hand with his bikini-clad co-star Ludivine Sagnier, who plays Esther in the show, which is a follow-up to the original 2016 series The Young Pope.

Wow! Jude Law threw himself into filming The New Pope in Venice as he again captures the role of Lenny Belardo, later Pope Pius XIII, Archbishop of New York

Jude first played Lenny, who became the first American pope in history and took the name Pius XIII, in The Young Pope, which first hit screens in 2016. As he continued filming, the handsome star was displaying his incredible physique while strutting down the beach and splashing in the water with gusto.

His white trunks left practically nothing to the imagination, as he sported the tiny bottoms while oozing body confidence. It was plain to see Jude has been working hard on his incredibly taut abs.

The latest series takes up after The Young Pope's cliffhanger ending, which saw Pius XIII confronted with a moment of weakness that threatened to destroy his papacy.

Cast: Jude was later joined by a number of nude extras who solemnly made their way into the water

Stunner: The 46-year-old displayed his incredible frame in a pair of barely-there white swimming trunks while strutting along the beach hand-in-hand with his bikini-clad co-star Ludivine Sagnier, who plays Esther in the show

Oh my! As he continued filming, the handsome star was displaying his incredible physique while strutting down the beach and splashing in the water with gusto

Wow! He was working all his best angles in the scanty swimwear as he emerged from the water

Moving on: According to Variety, The New Pope will not be a 'second series of The Young Pope' but instead a 'second limited series set in the world of the modern papacy'

Lighting up! It looked as though Jude was lighting up a cigarette between takes as he chatted to Ludivine

The money shot: It took an army to capture the perfect shot as the stunners threw the balls in the air

Wow: Jude's body was on fine form as he took to the waters for another day of filming

Guidance: Jude looked on as he took direction from a crew member

Fun times: Jude looked in good spirits as cameras rolled behind him

Jude's The New Pope makeover: Dyed silver locks, covered-up tattoos and trimmed body hair The full extent of Jude Law's papal makeover was revealed on Monday as he was seen filming The New Pope in Venice. The actor, 46, displayed his athletic frame in a pair of white swimming briefs while strutting along the beach - looking a far cry from his typical self. Gone was the star's brown hair in favour of icy grey locks, whilst his distinctive arm tattoos appeared to have been covered with make-up. Transformed: The full extent of Jude Law's papal makeover was revealed on Monday as he was seen filming The New Pope in Venice (pictured right in 2012) Incredibly, Jude also appeared to have had his body hair trimmed, showing the beauty department's incredible attention to detail on the set. Unsurprisingly, his body art had to go for the role, but the star boasts four inkings in real life on his arms. The first one reads 'You came along to turn on everything, Sexy Sadie', lyrics from the Beatles song as an ode to his first wife. Below this he has a colourful pyramid. On his other arm the star has inked a Rorschach butterfly combined with his 'JL', and bollow this a group of ants arranged in a circle. Jude first played Lenny, who became the first American pope in history and took the name Pius XIII, in The Young Pope, which first hit screens in 2016. Tatt's nice: Unsurprisingly, his body art had to go for the role, but the star boasts four inkings in real life on his arms - song lyrics, a colourful pyramid, a Rorschach butterfly and circle of ants Advertisement

Little has been revealed about the plot of this follow-up series and John Malkovich's role remains shrouded in mystery.

According to Variety, The New Pope will not be a 'second series of The Young Pope' but instead a 'second limited series set in the world of the modern papacy'.

Filming for The New Pope started in Italy months ago, afy Paolo Sorrentino has created the series with Umberto Contarello and Stefano Bises.

Off we go... He was first sporting what appeared to be a tracksuit before peeling off into the sexy trunks

Lucky guy! Jude strutted through a group of volleyball wielding beauties, all clad in sexy swimwear

Hot stuff: The series is set to premiere later this year, with Jude and John spotted at various times during filming in Italy

Wow! With the weather looking like it may be on the chilly side, in between takes, Jude wrapped up in a thick black coat

On and off... He flitted between wrapping up while the camera had stopped rolling before stripping off once again

The series is set to premiere later this year, with Jude and John spotted at various times during filming in Italy.

Despite being back with a resounding bang, in 2017 Jude gave a firm answer to questions about returning to the franchise after the end of The Young Pope - as he claimed he would not return.

Speaking to Variety at the time, he said: 'It wasn’t that I wrapped it up assuming that I was done with it but I went in, we went in, to make a 10-hour film, and we did that...

Who knows? Little has been revealed about the plot of this follow-up series and John Malkovich's role remains shrouded in mystery

Wow! The series is set to premiere later this year, with Jude and John spotted at various times during filming in Italy

Here come the girls! Despite being surrounded by a group of stunners, it was hunky Jude who stole the show

Hitting back: 'To say that there wasn’t room for more, I’d have been foolhardy. But it was clear from the get-go that we thought this is a great character and it’s a great world that he’s created here. But yeah, I didn’t go in thinking I’ll be doing this for the next 10 years'

Lavish: Jude stood out boldly among the sizzling stunners who were larking around on the beach

Light me up! Jude's character was clearly a smoker as he puffed along after being lit up

'To say that there wasn’t room for more, I’d have been foolhardy. But it was clear from the get-go that we thought this is a great character and it’s a great world that he’s created here. But yeah, I didn’t go in thinking I’ll be doing this for the next 10 years'.

Meanwhile Jude's relationship with girlfriend of four years Phillipa, 32, has been going from strength-to-strength. While he shares no children with his current girlfriend, Jude is the doting father to his five children from his former relationships.

The Holiday star shares three children, sons Rafferty and 16-year-old Rudy as well as daughter Iris, with his ex-wife Sadie Frost. Jude raises his fourth child Sophia, nine, with American model Samantha Burke whom he enjoyed a brief romance with. The Hollywood movie star also shares daughter Ada, three with ex Catherine Harding.

Hold me close: Jude held hands with his stunning blonde co-star as they strutted down the shores

Frosty? He seemed shocked by the icy climes as he dipped into the water

Woo! He was giving a thumbs up to the crew as he continued his dip

Rehearsal time: While rehearsing, everybody was wrapped up before stripping off later on

The Sun previously reported that the Sherlock Holmes star has asked his eldest son Rafferty, 22, whom he shares with ex wife Sadie Frost, to be his best man.

A source revealed: 'The wedding itself will be a good old fashioned knees up with plenty of booze and dancing. All his old pals are going from when he was growing up in London and just starting out in his career. Jude and Phillipa have been going out together for years and get on really well, so this is the next natural step.'

It appears as though the nuptials will be an A-list affair with several of Jude's actor pals reported to attend including Jonny Lee Miller, Ewan McGregor, Brad Adams and Sean Pertwee.

Jude previously opened up about his romance with Phillipa in an interview with Modern Living. He said: 'She’s mine and no one else’s. I’m very, very happy. Our relationship is a very private thing, and I think part of the fact it works so well is exactly because of that.'

Cheeky! Jude was showing off all the hard work he pummeled in the gym as he got down to filming

Strutting their stuff: Jude was pulling his most intense gaze as he walked away

A candid moment: The co-stars chatted away between takes while Jude wrapped up

Cheeky! He seemed to be reaching in for a cheeky moment between takes

Busy: It proved to be a long day for the Hollywood star