Chris Hemsworth surprised fans by playing drums alongside Ed Sheeran in front of 70,000 people during a concert in Bucharest, Romania. This daring challenge was part of his National Geographic docuseries Limitless: Live Better Now, where he pushes his mental and physical limits. The three-part series premieres on August 15 on Disney+ and Hulu and airs on National Geographic on August 25.
Hemsworth, who had no prior drumming experience, trained for months to perform Sheeran’s hit Thinking Out Loud live. The Thor actor admitted it was one of the toughest things he’s ever done. Sheeran even joked about the difficulty, saying it might be “the most difficult thing” Hemsworth would attempt.
Chris Hemsworth’s Drumming Challenge for Limitless
The new season of Limitless: Live Better Now follows Hemsworth as he takes on extreme challenges to improve his brainpower, risk tolerance, and pain endurance. Learning drums was part of the “Brain Power” episode, where experts explain how mastering a new skill boosts memory and focus.
Sheeran first suggested the idea while walking with Hemsworth in a field, saying:
“You should learn the drums to play a song with me on my stadium tour.”
Hemsworth accepted and trained with Ben Gordon, drummer of the metal band Parkway Drive. The show’s trailer reveals his struggles, with Sheeran giving blunt feedback during rehearsals. Despite initial doubts, Hemsworth pulled off the performance, keeping perfect rhythm during Thinking Out Loud.
The Surprise Onstage Moment in Bucharest
During Sheeran’s +–=÷× Tour stop in Bucharest, the singer shocked the crowd by introducing Hemsworth mid-concert:
“Please make some noise for Chris Hemsworth!”
The audience erupted as the actor joined Sheeran’s band. Social media clips show Hemsworth confidently playing the drums, a far cry from his early training days. After the show, Sheeran humorously awarded him a “Participation Award for Drumming Excellence” shaped like a hand holding drumsticks.
Other Extreme Challenges in Limitless: Live Better Now
Besides drumming, Hemsworth tackles two more high-stakes missions:
- Scaling a 600-foot Alpine dam in Switzerland (exploring risk and fear)
- Enduring South Korean Special Forces training, including pepper spray and electrocution (confronting chronic pain)
The series features experts like Dr. BJ Miller (pain specialist), Dr. Maya Shankar (cognitive scientist), and Steph Davis (free solo climber). Hemsworth says the experience changed his life:
“Making this series has been a life-changing journey. I’ve discovered so much about my own health, resilience, and what it really means to live well.”
Sheeran and Hemsworth’s Longstanding Friendship
The two stars have been close for years. In 2023, they exchanged playful gifts—Sheeran gave Hemsworth a guitar, and Hemsworth gifted him Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir. Hemsworth later joked it was an “instrumental trade-off between two blokes.”
When Sheeran was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People of 2025, Hemsworth praised him:
“Ed Sheeran has an almost supernatural ability to connect. His songs, his voice, his words—they belong to all of us.”
Where to Watch Limitless: Live Better Now
The docuseries streams on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 15 and airs on National Geographic on August 25. The first season of Limitless is already available on Hulu.
Credits: Sources include National Geographic, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, and official trailers.
