Sophie Turner to play Lara Croft in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Tomb Raider series

Prime Video has confirmed the latest actress to play the iconic role of Lara Croft in upcoming new seriesTomb Raider. The long-awaited announcement has left eager fans on tenterhooks as to who will take on the role that was previously perfectly portrayed by Angelina Jolie.

Bosses have revealed that Sophie Turner has been names as the person to take on the role and has admitted she can't wait to get going as the video game character that has also been portrayed previously by Alicia Vikander.

Speaking of the announcement, the Game Of Thrones star, 29, said: "I am thrilled beyond measure, to be playing Lara Croft. She’s such an iconic character, who means so much to so many - and I am giving everything I’ve got.

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"They’re massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances, but with Phoebe [Waller-Bridge] 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."

It's thought that Sophie initially entered negotiations for the part last November after testing for Lara Croft. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as creator, writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner praised the casting too.

She 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 artefacts out... Croft is coming...”

Jonathan Van Tulleken will serve as director and executive producer and Chad Hodge joins as co-showrunner and executive producer. Production for the show is set to get under way on January 19, 2026, Amazon MGM Studio has confirmed.

“Lara Croft is one of the most recognizable and iconic video game characters of all time,” Vernon Sanders, head of global television at Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios said. "We are thrilled to have the wonderfully talented Sophie Turner bring this character to life who is defined by her courage, strength, and unshakable resolve. Led by the brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this series will honor the beloved ‘Tomb Raider’ legacy while delivering fresh adventures to fans worldwide.”

Tomb Raider the series is based on the iconic Tomb Raider video game franchise, which follows the adventures of world-famous archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft. The fictional British archaeologist sets off on adventures around the world to search for lost artefacts, while she also heads deep into dangerous tombs, crypts and ruins in her quest.

Angelina previously admitted that after her portrayal of the character in the 2001 movie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider that she had found the games annoying at first. Speaking with the BBC previously, she explained how her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller, introduced her to the games.

She said at the time: "Maybe there was something to Jonny playing it years ago and me just hating this woman, because she kept my husband up all night at the time.

"I’m actually terrible at the game; I kill her constantly, which I love to do because she makes these little sounds that I’m very fond of.”

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