Sophie Turner Cast as Lara Croft in Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM’s Tomb Raider TV Series, Filming Begins in 2026
The long-awaited Tomb Raider live-action TV series from Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM Studios has officially cast Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, with production scheduled to begin in 2026. The news, confirmed by Variety, marks a major step forward for Amazon’s ambitious plan to build a fully interconnected Tomb Raider universe spanning video games, television, and film.
First announced in May 2024, the series is being written, produced, and showrun by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who emphasized her enthusiasm for both the character and the project. “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…” said Waller-Bridge.
For Turner, who rose to fame as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones and later starred in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the role represents both a challenge and a dream come true. “I’m thrilled beyond measure to be stepping into the role. 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 casting of Turner signals Amazon and Crystal Dynamics’ intention to give Lara Croft a modern yet faithful reimagining, aligning with the vision the developer has been pursuing in its most recent game iterations. The show will anchor Amazon’s cross-media Tomb Raider strategy, connecting the television series with upcoming films and the next installment in the game franchise.
However, while the TV series announcement is a boost for fans, Crystal Dynamics has recently been in the headlines for less celebratory reasons. The studio confirmed layoffs last week, stating that development on the next Tomb Raider game remains unaffected, though such assurances are often difficult to interpret when staff morale is impacted.
Still, with a high-profile creative team, the star power of Sophie Turner, and Amazon’s deep investment in expanding Tomb Raider across multiple media, the project represents one of the most ambitious crossovers between gaming and television to date.
Do you think Sophie Turner is the right choice to carry Lara Croft into a new interconnected universe, and how do you feel about Amazon’s vision of tying Tomb Raider’s games, shows, and films together?
