Idris Elba has broken the UK land speed record whilst filming for an upcoming television series. Driving his Bentley Continental GT Speed, Elba's average speed was 180.361mph although he reached a top speed of 186mph.

Idris ElbaIdris Elba has broken the UK land speed record.

Read More: Star Trek 3 Titled Star Trek Beyond, Details On Elba's Character.

The last record was set in 1927 by Sir Malcolm Campbell. Racing driver and motor sports journalist Campbell set the record of 174.8mph in his Napier-Campbell Blue Bird. Both Campbell and Elba's records were set at Pendine Sands in south Wales. 

"I'm absolutely elated to have broken the flying mile at Pendine Sands," Elba told the BBC. "It's an honour to have taken on the challenge and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell."

Elba was filming for an upcoming television series, Idris Elba: No Limits for the Discovery Channel. The four part series follows Elba as he attempts drag racing, rally driving, speed boating and performing tricks in an airplane. The series will air in July 2015. 

"I'm taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series," said Elba said of the series when it was announced last December, as THR reports. "Along the way, I'll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land, water and in the air."

Elba is best known for his television roles in Luther and The Wire. He was highly praised for his role as Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He has recently appeared in the Avengers: Age of Ultron, reprising his role as Heimdall. Since December 2014, he has been hotly tipped as the next James Bond. With the breaking of the land speed record and his other wild antics, no one can now question Elba's action hero abilities. 

Read More: Idris Elba Will Continue Making Music 'No Matter What'.