Sophie Turner has officially been cast as Lara Croft in Prime Video’s upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series, a project created by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The Game of Thrones star steps into the boots of gaming’s most famous archaeologist three decades after the character first debuted. Production is now underway, and the first official image has already generated significant buzz among fans.
Turner was officially announced as the new Lara Croft in September 2025, though reports of her casting surfaced as early as November 2024 . She beat out competition from actors including Mackenzie Davis, Emma Mackey, and Lucy Boynton for the coveted role . The series had been in development since January 2023 but did not receive an official order until May 2024 .
The 29-year-old actor expressed her excitement in a statement at the time of the announcement, acknowledging the legacy she was inheriting. Turner noted that she had massive shoes to fill following the powerhouse performances of Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, who both previously portrayed the character on film . She also expressed confidence in working with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who she described as putting Lara in very safe hands .
Waller-Bridge serves as creator, writer, and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge, with Jonathan van Tulleken directing and executive producing . The project is a collaboration between Story Kitchen, Crystal Dynamics, and Amazon MGM Studios . Waller-Bridge had been under a reported $20 million annual deal with Amazon since 2019, and this series represents one of the first major outputs from that partnership .
The series draws inspiration from the modern Tomb Raider games while introducing original characters and storylines alongside familiar franchise figures . The cast includes a mix of canon characters from the games and new additions created specifically for the series. Phoebe Waller-Bridge described the ensemble as being beyond her wildest dreams, noting that she was thrilled to bring both personal and fan favourites to the screen .
Prime Video released the first official image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in January 2026, coinciding with the start of production . The costume pays direct homage to Lara’s classic 1990s video game appearance, featuring a teal tank top, brown shorts, dual pistol holsters, and the iconic red circular sunglasses . This represents a notable departure from previous film adaptations, which opted for grittier, more layered interpretations of the character .
Turner herself had already begun extensive physical preparation well before filming commenced. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she revealed that she had been training since February 2025, putting in eight hours daily, five days a week . This rigorous preparation was necessary for the physically demanding role, though it also led to the discovery of a chronic back condition during training . Production was briefly paused in late March and early April 2026 after Turner sustained minor back injuries, with an expected return to set within two weeks .
Filming began in January 2026 across multiple locations in England, including Shinfield Studios, London, Surrey, and Wrest Park estate . Production later moved to Girona, Spain, in June 2026 . The series is expected to premiere sometime in late 2026 or 2027, though no official release date has been confirmed at this time .
Turner has described the character as being very different from her own personality, noting that Lara possesses a focused and determined nature, and even an element of toxicity at times. She contrasted this with her own neurotic tendencies and ADHD, which she said makes it difficult to complete tasks without getting distracted . She also expressed a shared obsession with history, a trait both she and Lara possess . The actor indicated that this will be a long-term commitment for her, describing Tomb Raider as her current focus that will remain so for a while to come. She noted that she enjoys developing a character over years, making television her preferred medium .Sophie Turner as Lara Croft: Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sophie Turner’s Tomb Raider series be released on Prime Video?
An official release date has not yet been announced. However, filming began in January 2026 and is expected to continue through mid-2026. Based on the production timeline, the series is currently slated for a late 2026 or 2027 release window.
Who is playing Lara Croft in the new Tomb Raider series?
Sophie Turner, best known for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, plays Lara Croft. She was officially announced in September 2025 and beat out competition from actors including Mackenzie Davis, Emma Mackey, and Lucy Boynton for the part.
Is Sophie Turner’s Lara Croft costume based on the video games?
Yes. The first official image released in January 2026 shows Turner in a costume directly inspired by Lara’s classic 1990s video game appearance, featuring a teal tank top, brown shorts, and dual pistol holsters. However, on-set photos also show her in more practical tactical gear for action sequences.
Why was production on the Tomb Raider series temporarily paused?
Production was briefly paused in March 2026 after Sophie Turner sustained a minor back injury. The actor had been training eight hours daily, five days a week, and also discovered a chronic back condition during her preparation. She was expected to return to set within two weeks.
Who created and writes the new Tomb Raider TV series?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of Fleabag, serves as creator, writer, and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge. The series is produced in collaboration with Story Kitchen, Crystal Dynamics, and Amazon MGM Studios, and Jonathan van Tulleken directs and executive produces.
