Summary (tl;dr)

Sophie Turner is trending as the first official image of her as the new Lara Croft for Amazon Prime Video's "Tomb Raider" TV series has been released, signaling the start of production for the highly anticipated reboot.

Essential Background

Lara Croft is a renowned archaeologist and adventurer, originating from the iconic "Tomb Raider" video game franchise that debuted in 1996. The character has seen several live-action adaptations, with Angelina Jolie famously portraying her in two films (2001 and 2003), followed by Alicia Vikander in a 2018 movie reboot. Plans for a sequel starring Vikander were ultimately scrapped after MGM lost the film rights, which were subsequently acquired by Amazon, paving the way for a new iteration of the franchise.

The Full Story

On January 15, 2026, Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video unveiled the first official look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft for their upcoming "Tomb Raider" TV series, confirming that production is now underway. Turner, known for her role in "Game of Thrones," was announced as the lead in September 2025. The released image showcases Turner in a classic Lara Croft ensemble, featuring a green tank top, brown shorts, red-tinted sunglasses, a backpack, and dual gun holsters, a look that pays homage to the original 1990s video games. The series is being created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and the cast also includes Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis and Jason Isaacs as Lara's uncle, Atlas DeMornay.

Why It Matters

The reveal of Sophie Turner as the new Lara Croft has generated significant public interest and discussion, particularly among long-time fans of the "Tomb Raider" franchise. Many are pleased with the decision to lean into the classic visual style of Lara Croft, addressing initial skepticism some fans had about Turner's casting. This new Prime Video series marks a fresh start for the live-action "Tomb Raider" universe under Amazon, with ambitions to establish an expansive and unified storytelling across the franchise, potentially linking to future video game releases. The project carries the weight of past beloved portrayals by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, and there is keen interest in how Turner's performance and the show's direction will shape the iconic character for a new generation.

Geographic Location

• Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, United States (announcement of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft and start of production for Prime Video series by Amazon MGM Studios)