Amazon MGM Studios has officially confirmed that Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner will take on the mantle of Lara Croft in their live-action Tomb Raider series. The show is being developed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is writing, creating, and executive producing, alongside co-showrunner Chad Hodge (Wayward Pines). Production begins January 19, 2026.
Turner, first connected with the role in late 2024, becomes the latest actress to portray the legendary archaeologist-adventurer. She follows Angelina Jolie, who headlined two early 2000s films, and Alicia Vikander, who fronted the 2018 reboot.
Waller-Bridge on Casting Turner
Speaking to Variety, 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.”
The Video Game Legacy
The Tomb Raider franchise first launched in 1996, developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive. The original PlayStation-era game was a cultural phenomenon, selling over 7 million copies and turning Lara Croft into a global icon of gaming. With dual pistols, cavernous tombs, and puzzle-platforming action, it set the tone for 3D adventure titles that followed.
Over the years, Tomb Raider has sold more than 100 million units across multiple generations of consoles. Highlights include:
- Tomb Raider II (1997) – expanded on the formula with globetrotting missions in Venice, Tibet, and the Great Wall of China.
- Tomb Raider III (1998) – pushed difficulty and variety, taking Lara to India, London, and Nevada.
- The Last Revelation (1999) – focused on Egypt and marked the end of Core Design’s initial dominance.
- Legend (2006) – a major reboot under Crystal Dynamics, modernising gameplay with cinematic action.
- Anniversary (2007) – a remake of the 1996 classic with updated visuals and mechanics.
- Underworld (2008) – offered sprawling environments and deeper narrative threads.
- The Survivor Trilogy (2013–2018) – (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of the Tomb Raider) reimagined Lara as a younger explorer finding her footing, with a grittier, survival-driven approach.
The series has consistently blended platforming, exploration, puzzle-solving, and cinematic storytelling, influencing games from Uncharted to Assassin’s Creed.
Lara Croft on Screen
Lara made her film debut in 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie, which grossed $274 million worldwide. Its 2003 sequel, The Cradle of Life, fared worse, pulling in $160 million. Fifteen years later, Alicia Vikander’s 2018 reboot also hit $274 million globally, but rights disputes stalled any continuation.
Most recently, Hayley Atwell voiced Lara in Netflix’s animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, which premiered in 2024 and has been renewed for a second season.
What’s Next
Now, with Sophie Turner stepping into the role under Amazon MGM, Tomb Raider is set to return on its biggest stage yet. Combining the legacy of the games with Waller-Bridge’s storytelling sensibilities, fans can expect an ambitious take on Lara Croft’s adventures when production begins in 2026.