MOVIE NEWS – Sophie Turner is set to don the boots of Lara Croft, following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, in Prime Video’s ambitious new television series adaptation.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Turner — best known for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones — has been officially cast as Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider series for Prime Video. She reportedly edged out several competitors for the role, including Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate), Emma Mackey (Sex Education), and Lucy Boynton (Sing Street). Turner expressed her excitement over the announcement:

“I’m beyond thrilled to be stepping into the role of Lara Croft. She’s such a legendary character, beloved by so many people, and I’m throwing everything I have into this performance. It’s a huge responsibility to follow Angelina and Alicia’s powerhouse portrayals, but with Phoebe guiding us, Lara and the series are in excellent hands. I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’re working on.”

The project is spearheaded by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as creator, writer, and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge. Production begins on January 19, 2026, with Jonathan Van Tulleken directing and executive producing. Waller-Bridge also shared her enthusiasm about Turner’s casting:

“It’s such a thrill to welcome the phenomenal Sophie Turner as our Lara, backed by this incredible creative team. You don’t often get the chance to build a series of this scale around a character you grew up idolizing. Everyone involved is wildly passionate about Lara, and just as bold, brave, and cheeky as she is. Dust off your relics — Croft is back.”

A Fresh Era for Tomb Raider

Prime Video’s Tomb Raider series has been in the pipeline for some time. Waller-Bridge began developing it in 2023, after the movie rights lapsed and plans for a sequel to Alicia Vikander’s 2018 film were scrapped. Amazon officially ordered the series in May 2024, though it has faced delays since then. With a lead star and production start date now locked, the series is closer than ever to reality.

The Tomb Raider franchise first launched in 1996, cementing Lara Croft as one of gaming’s most iconic heroes. Angelina Jolie brought her to life in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, which was a box office hit, though its sequel The Cradle of Life fell flat. Vikander’s 2018 reboot, inspired by the 2013 game, served as an origin story and performed moderately well, but plans for a follow-up were shelved in favor of the new TV adaptation.

Turner’s career since Game of Thrones has been varied: she took on the role of Jean Grey in Dark Phoenix, though its failure at the box office ended her run as the X-Men character. She later led shows like The Staircase and Joan, and appeared in Do Revenge. Her most recent movie, Trust, underperformed, but Turner’s screen presence remains undeniable. Stepping into Lara Croft’s shoes could mark a pivotal moment in her career.

Source: MovieWeb