Sophie Turner Embraces the Icon: First Look at the New Lara Croft for Prime Video's Tomb Raider Series

Prime Video has unveiled the first official look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, and it’s a direct callback to the 1996 original. The image, released today, reveals Turner poised in the character’s unmistakable classic attire: the forest green tank top, practical brown shorts, dual pistol holsters, and signature red-tinted sunglasses. This bold visual statement does more than confirm a casting—it declares a creative intent. It connects a new prestige television project, spearheaded by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, directly back to the pixelated roots that made Lara Croft a global phenomenon, signaling a deliberate fusion of legacy and modern storytelling for a streaming audience.

The First Look: A Classic Reborn

The released image is a masterclass in iconic recall. Sophie Turner is Lara Croft, in a look instantly recognizable to generations of gamers. This is not an accidental costume choice; it is a deliberate, powerful nod to the character’s origins in Core Design’s trailblazing 1996 game. It consciously steps away from the grittier, survivalist aesthetic of the 2013 Crystal Dynamics reboot and its film counterpart, instead embracing the stylized, confident adventurer who defined an era.

This visual statement carries significant weight, acknowledging the character’s status as a cultural artifact while tasking a new actor with its embodiment. Turner herself acknowledged the gravity of stepping into these particular boots. In her reaction to the casting, she stated she was "thrilled beyond measure" for the role but was acutely aware of the "massive shoes to fill," following the previous big-screen portrayals by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. The classic costume amplifies this challenge, inviting immediate comparison not just to past actors, but to the original, polygon-pushing vision of the character herself.

Building the New Tomb Raider: The Creative Foundation

If the first look provides the iconic shell, the creative team assembled promises the substantive depth within. The series is being created, written, and executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also serves as co-showrunner. This involvement is arguably as significant as the casting. Waller-Bridge, celebrated for the razor-sharp writing and deeply complex, flawed female lead of Fleabag, suggests a Lara Croft who will be deconstructed and explored with psychological nuance and witty, intelligent dialogue. Her track record indicates a move beyond pure action into the realm of character-driven prestige drama.

She is joined by co-showrunner and executive producer Chad Hodge and director/executive producer Jonathan Van Tulleken, forming a formidable creative nucleus. The ambition is further underscored by a staggering supporting cast that includes legends like Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs, alongside talents such as Celia Imrie and Paterson Joseph. This caliber of ensemble signals that Amazon MGM Studios is positioning Tomb Raider not as a simple adventure romp, but as a serious, high-stakes dramatic series worthy of its blockbuster potential.

Sophie Turner's Transformation: From Page to Physique

Stepping into the role of an action icon known for acrobatics, climbing, and combat requires more than acting chops; it demands a physical transformation. For Sophie Turner, this meant embarking on a journey she had never undertaken before. The actor revealed she began an intense training regimen in February 2025, working out "eight hours a day, five days a week." She candidly admitted she had never seriously worked out before, and that it took "months and months" to build the strength and physique required for the role.

This dedication is a direct response to the legacy of Lara Croft as a physical powerhouse. It speaks to the modern demands of authenticity in action filmmaking and the expectations of a fanbase that views Lara’s athleticism as a core character trait. Turner’s commitment mirrors the character’s own tenacity, transforming the preparation into a meta-narrative of its own—a star physically molding herself to embody a legend, proving her mettle long before the first scene is shot.

The Bigger Picture: Tomb Raider in the Adaptation Era

This new series arrives during a veritable golden age for video game adaptations. Following the critical and commercial successes of series like The Last of Us on HBO and Fallout on Prime Video, the pressure—and opportunity—for Tomb Raider has never been greater. The franchise itself is a pioneer. When Core Design launched Tomb Raider in 1996, Lara Croft became a rare and revolutionary figure: a dominant female protagonist in a medium that often marginalized them. Her journey from polygonal icon to grounded survivor in the 2013 reboot reflects the evolving narratives of games themselves.

Prime Video’s series now seeks to synthesize these eras. It is a cornerstone of Amazon’s aggressive strategy to become a dominant hub for blockbuster game adaptations, a slate that also includes the developing God of War series. By marrying the instantly recognizable iconography of the classic games with the sophisticated, character-focused television ethos proven by recent hits, Tomb Raider aims to satisfy nostalgic fans while captivating a new audience that expects depth and quality from their streaming epics. The challenge for Waller-Bridge and her team will be to ensure the classic costume is more than an aesthetic callback—it must serve a character whose wit and complexity match the physical iconography, avoiding the trap of nostalgia-over-substance that has plagued other reboots.

The first image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft is more than a promotional still; it is a mission statement. It successfully bridges decades of gaming history, offering a potent symbol of nostalgia through its perfect classic costume. Yet, it is framed by a modern context of exceptional creative leadership, a stellar cast, and an actor’s profound physical dedication. As production continues, the promise is clear: this Tomb Raider seeks to honor the icon’s adventurous spirit while using the tools of prestige television to explore the woman within the legend. The tomb is open, and a new chapter for Lara Croft is being carefully, and excitingly, excavated.

Tags: Tomb Raider, Sophie Turner, Prime Video, Video Game Adaptation, Phoebe Waller-Bridge