Sophie Turner is officially stepping into one of the most iconic roles in pop culture. The “Game of Thrones” star has been revealed as Lara Croft in the first official look at Prime Video’s upcoming “Tomb Raider” series, and fans are already reacting in a big way.
Turner shared the image on Instagram as production officially kicked off on the live-action reboot. The photo shows her in Lara Croft’s signature look, marking the first time audiences have seen her fully in character. The series is set to stream on Prime Video and was greenlit in 2024 after an extensive casting search, according to Deadline.
The post quickly filled with excited reactions. “You look absolutely incredible as Lara Croft Sophie!! I so cannot wait for this!! This is gonna be brilliant,” one fan commented. Another wrote, “THAT’S MY LARA CROFT OMG.” Even the official “Tomb Raider” account weighed in, posting, “Hello, Lara Croft! 😎”
Another social media user added, “I am happy to report that I love Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. The best she’s looked since Angelina Jolie!”
Fans React as Production Gets Underway
The new “Tomb Raider” series is based on the long-running video game franchise that follows archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft as she hunts ancient artifacts and uncovers hidden truths around the world. The show is created, written and executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also serves as co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge.
Turner leads an ensemble cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Martin Bobb-Semple, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Bill Paterson, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, Celia Imrie and August Wittgenstein.
According to People, Turner has previously spoken about her connection to the role, calling Lara Croft a fierce and emboldened character in a male-dominated world. She also acknowledged the pressure that comes with taking on such an iconic part, noting that she has “massive shoes to fill.”
With cameras now rolling and the first image released, the reboot has officially moved from anticipation to reality, and early fan reactions suggest excitement is high.
A New Era for Lara Croft After Iconic Performances
Turner is the latest actress to portray Lara Croft, a character that has evolved across film, television and animation since her debut in the 1996 “Tomb Raider” video game.
Angelina Jolie first brought the character to life on the big screen in 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” and its 2003 sequel, setting the standard for the role. Jolie later revealed she initially turned down the part before embracing it, a decision that became a defining moment in her career, per People.
In 2018, Alicia Vikander took over the role in a reboot that reimagined Lara as a younger and more grounded adventurer. Although a sequel was planned, the project stalled after the studio lost the franchise rights.
Most recently, Hayley Atwell voiced Lara Croft in Netflix’s animated series “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,” which premiered in 2024 and is set to conclude after its second season.
Now, Turner’s casting signals a fresh chapter for the franchise, one that blends legacy with reinvention as the series heads into production and toward its Prime Video debut.
