Filming is now underway on the new Amazon MGM Studios series Tomb Raider, and they have now revealed the first look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. It is a role previously played in films by first Angelina Jolie and then Alicia Vikander, while Hayley Atwell also played the character in an anime Netflix series. Certainly, Turner more than looks the part in this first photo.
The series is of course based on the iconic Tomb Raider video game franchise, which follows the adventures of world-famous archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft.
Alongside Turner, there will be recently announced cast members Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Martin Bobb-Semple, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Bill Paterson, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, Celia Imrie, and August Wittgenstein.
The project is led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) serving as creator, writer, executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge as co-showrunner and executive producer; they are joined by Jonathan Van Tulleken who will serve as director and executive producer.
The series was developed as part of a between games developer Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM Studios, which more Tomb Raider spin-offs expected.
Can Waller-Bridge and Turner combine to bring Croft up-to-date with a new take on the character? You’d be a fool to bet against them. When it was announced, Waller-Bridge said, “I’m so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara alongside this phenomenal creative team. It’s not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving. Everyone on board is wildly passionate about Lara and are all as outrageous, brave, and hilarious as she is. Get your artifacts out… Croft is coming…”
While Turner added, “I am thrilled beyond measure, to be playing Lara Croft. She’s such an iconic character, who means so much to so many – and I am giving everything I’ve got. They’re massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances, but with Phoebe at the helm, we (and Lara) are all in very safe hands. I can’t wait for you all to see what we have cooking.”
The series is expected to come to Prime Video in 2027.
