Sophie Turner Steps Into Iconic Lara Croft Role in First Look at New Tomb Raider TV Series

The adventure officially begins. Amazon MGM Studios has unveiled the first image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, offering fans an exciting glimpse into the upcoming live-action Tomb Raider television series for Prime Video. With production now underway, the image confirms that the new adaptation is embracing the legendary roots of the iconic video game heroine.

In the newly released photo, Turner, 29, channels the classic Lara Croft look that first captivated gamers in the original 1996 Tomb Raider release and its 1997 sequel, Tomb Raider II. Sporting Croft’s signature teal tank top, short shorts, red-tinted sunglasses, leather backpack, and braided ponytail, Turner embodies the fearless archaeologist with striking authenticity. The image marks the official start of filming on the long-awaited series, developed by Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

While plot details remain tightly guarded, subtle hints about the direction of the series emerged earlier this month with the announcement of its ensemble cast and character descriptions. Among the most notable additions is three-time Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver, who joins the franchise as Evelyn Wallis, a newly created character described as a “mysterious, high-flying woman keen to exploit Lara’s talents.”

The cast also includes Jason Isaacs, known for roles in Harry Potter and The White Lotus, who will portray Atlas DeMornay, Lara Croft’s uncle — a character familiar to longtime fans of the game series. Martin Bobb-Semple (All American: Homecoming) steps into the role of Zip, Lara’s trusted tech-savvy ally, while House of the Dragon actor Bill Paterson plays Winston, the Croft family butler who became a cult favorite in the early games.

Adding further depth to the series, Bridget Jones star Celia Imrie joins the cast as Francine, a new character described as the British Museum’s head of advancement, more interested in fundraising and champagne than ancient relics.

Turner inherits the role of Lara Croft from an illustrious lineage of actresses. Angelina Jolie famously portrayed the adventurer in two films released between 2001 and 2003, while Alicia Vikander starred in the 2018 cinematic reboot. Although plans for a sequel to Vikander’s film were once in motion, the project stalled following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in 2022. Vikander later acknowledged the uncertainty, noting that the future of the franchise had shifted into “somebody else’s hands.”

With Turner now taking up the mantle, the Tomb Raider legacy enters a new era—one that blends reverence for its origins with the promise of a fresh, serialized narrative. Backed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s creative leadership and a formidable cast, the series is poised to reintroduce Lara Croft to a new generation while honoring the character’s storied past.

A release date has yet to be announced, but anticipation continues to build as the series progresses through production. Additional cast members include Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, August Wittgenstein, and more. For fans of adventure, archaeology, and iconic heroines, Tomb Raider is once again ready to unearth its next great chapter.