Prime Video has released the first official image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in its live-action Tomb Raider TV series, marking the start of production. The reveal, featuring a star-studded cast including Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs, has shifted fan opinions from initial casting backlash to excitement, while Turner shares her preparation for the iconic role.
Prime Video unveiled the first-look photo of Sophie Turner portraying Lara Croft on January 15, 2026, showcasing the Game of Thrones star in the character's classic outfit—shorts, top, twin pistol holsters, and red sunglasses. This milestone confirms production has begun on the series, ordered in May 2024, with Turner cast in September 2025.
Turner prepared intensively, training up to eight hours a day, five days a week since February 2025, while revisiting the original games and comics but skipping prior films for a fresh take. She said: "I've been a long-time fan of 'Tomb Raider' and the character of Lara. She has always felt for me, very emboldened in a male-dominated world. She's a fierce female role model!"
Created, written, and executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (co-showrunner with Chad Hodge), the series is directed and executive produced by Jonathan Van Tulleken. Peter Friedlander, head of Amazon MGM Studios, praised the cast: "'Tomb Raider' has always been defined by bold storytelling and unforgettable characters, and these new cast members bring incredible depth and gravitas to the series. With talents like Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs joining the ensemble, we're elevating this world in exciting new ways."
The ensemble includes Jason Isaacs as Atlas DeMornay (Lara's uncle); Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis (a mysterious exploiter of Lara's talents); Bill Paterson as Winston (Croft butler); Martin Bobb-Semple as Zip (tech support); Jack Bannon as Gerry (pilot); John Heffernan as David (government official); Celia Imrie as Francine (British Museum head); Paterson Joseph as Thomas Warner (senior official); Sasha Luss as Sasha (rival); Juliette Motamed as Georgia (curator); and August Wittgenstein as Lukas (illegal raider with history to Lara). Produced by Crystal Dynamics, Amazon MGM Studios, and partners, it explores fresh adventures in the 1996 video game universe.
Initially announced with Turner cast in November 2024 amid fan backlash questioning her fit after Angelina Jolie (2001, 2003) and Alicia Vikander (2018), the images have swayed opinions, generating buzz online. Waller-Bridge added: "It's not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving... Get your artifacts out … Croft is coming."
No release date is set, amid active franchise news: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remake (2026) and Tomb Raider: Catalyst (2027).
