Sophie Turner’s First Look as Lara Croft Heralds a Bold New Tomb Raider TV Series
- Jan 15
- 4 min read
15 January 2026
Sophie Turner has officially stepped into the boots of Lara Croft, the iconic adventurer from the Tomb Raider franchise, unveiling her first look in the long-awaited live-action television adaptation now in production for Prime Video. This new series, created and led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, reimagines a beloved video game figure for the small screen with Turner at the center, and the fresh production still manages to honor the character’s deep roots in popular culture while setting the stage for something entirely its own. The release of the first official image of Turner in character, complete with classic elements like her signature teal tank top, short shorts, braided ponytail and retro red sunglasses sent fans and entertainment outlets into a frenzy as it offers a tantalizing first glimpse at what’s to come from this high-profile adaptation.
Turner’s portrayal of Lara Croft draws clear visual inspiration from the early Tomb Raider video games of the mid-1990s, a look that is both nostalgic and strikingly faithful to the era that helped define the franchise. The image released by Amazon MGM Studios marks the official start of production on the series, signifying a definitive step forward after years of anticipation and speculation surrounding television adaptations of the adventure saga. Fans responded with excitement online, with many celebrating the return to classic aesthetics even as others debated how Turner’s performance will shape the character’s evolution in this new medium.
The Tomb Raider series is being developed by Waller-Bridge alongside co-showrunner Chad Hodge, with Turner leading an ensemble cast that includes Sigourney Weaver as the enigmatic Evelyn Wallis, Jason Isaacs as Lara’s uncle Atlas DeMornay, Celia Imrie as the champagne-loving Brit museum executive Francine, and others such as Bill Paterson as the steadfast Croft family butler Winston and Martin Bobb-Semple as the tech-savvy Zip. This casting emphasizes a rich character tapestry that blends familiar faces from the games with fresh personalities created for the series.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the new production has been Turner’s own experience with it. In recent interviews she shared that the series’ security measures are intense, joking that accessing scripts requires multiple levels of authentication and facial recognition technology, a playful reminder of how seriously the creative team is guarding the project’s secrets and narrative direction. Turner has also described her role as a personal milestone, emphasizing her admiration for Lara Croft as a character who has inspired women in male-dominated contexts with her independence, resourcefulness and confidence.
Despite the surge of online buzz over Turner’s first look, the creators have kept plot details tightly under wraps. What is known is that this adaptation will explore Lara Croft’s world in a serialized format, potentially allowing deeper character development and more complex storytelling than in the franchise’s previous big-screen outings. The Tomb Raider television series stands alongside a broader resurgence of interest in the franchise, including upcoming video game content that is intended to unify Tomb Raider narratives across media, reinforcing the character’s enduring appeal and relevance.
Turner’s casting continues a storied lineage of actresses who have embodied Lara Croft. Earlier live-action portrayals include Angelina Jolie, who starred in the early 2000s films Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, and Alicia Vikander, who took on the role in the 2018 reboot of the franchise. With both historical legacy and fan expectations in mind, Turner steps into a role that carries both nostalgia and the opportunity to redefine what a modern Croft can be.
Production on the series began in January 2026, with filming underway at studios that will host extensive action sequences and character moments. While no official release date has been confirmed, insiders suggest the show could arrive in late 2026 or early 2027, positioning it alongside a slate of major Amazon Prime Video offerings aimed at expanding fan engagement and narrative depth.
Turner’s transformation into Lara Croft has sparked a vibrant mix of commentary and analysis among fans and critics alike. The image’s nod to the classic visual style of the character’s earliest days has been praised for its affection for the source material, while others look forward to seeing how the television format will allow more nuanced storytelling, building on decades of franchise history.
For Turner, the role represents a significant career moment as she transitions from her widely recognized work in Game of Thrones and other projects to the front line of a globally cherished adventure narrative. It also highlights how television adaptations of beloved video games continue to gain momentum in the entertainment industry, blending cinematic ambition with the serialized storytelling audiences crave.
As production progresses and more details emerge, the Tomb Raider series is increasingly positioned as one of the most anticipated television events tied to a video game adaptation in recent years. Whether celebrated for its faithfulness to the original aesthetic or its potential to deepen Lara Croft’s story for a new generation, Sophie Turner’s first portrayal in this role signals a bold new chapter for one of gaming’s most enduring heroes.
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