Sophie Turner Transforms into Lara Croft for Gritty New Tomb Raider Series
Australian audiences are buzzing with anticipation as Sophie Turner steps into the iconic boots of Lara Croft for a brand-new Tomb Raider series, currently in production. The actress, known for her breakout role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, has been undergoing rigorous training and intense filming, as evidenced by recent dramatic scenes shot in the Surrey countryside.
On a damp Wednesday evening, Turner, 29, was spotted braving the elements as she filmed a high-octane knife fight sequence for the upcoming Amazon Prime Video production. The scene saw her engaged in a fierce struggle, wielding a blade amidst the trees, before making a swift escape on the back of a motorbike, expertly ridden by her co-star, Martin Bobb-Semple, 28. Bobb-Semple is set to play Zip, Lara Croft’s trusted tech support and close friend in the series.
The night shoot transformed a usually serene wooded area into a muddy, chaotic battleground, illuminated by powerful floodlights. This demanding physical performance is a significant departure from Turner’s previous roles, highlighting her commitment to bringing a new dimension to the beloved archaeologist and explorer.
Years in the Making: The Journey to Croft
Turner’s preparation for the physically demanding role has been extensive, spanning over a year. Speaking about her journey, she revealed to ScreenRant that her training began in February 2025, with filming commencing in January. “I’ve been training for a long time now, coming up on a year,” she shared. “I’m really excited, but I feel prepped, and I feel really lucky to have such a great relationship with Amazon, and I’m excited for the world to see what we do with Lara and Tomb Raider. I think it’s going to be something special.”
This extensive training regimen has not been without its challenges. Turner candidly admitted to suffering from a recurring back problem during the gruelling process. On The Julia Cunningham Show, she elaborated on the intensity: “We’ve been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February last year, of training. Yeah, so it’s been a lot. I’ve learned I have a perpetual back problem, but I also realised that it’s much easier to kind of build muscle if you’ve ever worked out before in your life, which I never had, so it has taken me months and months and months to get into good shape.”
While Turner is a seasoned actress, her experience on Game of Thrones, where she played Sansa Stark, did not directly prepare her for the action-heavy nature of Tomb Raider. “No, I was the cool queen who, like, didn’t have to do that,” she explained. “I also just kind of was the one that got beat up, not the one doing the beating. So, it’s quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it.”
A Creative Powerhouse Behind the Scenes
The new Tomb Raider series is spearheaded by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the acclaimed creator, writer, and executive producer behind Fleabag. Waller-Bridge announced Turner’s casting in September, expressing her enthusiasm: “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 artifacts out, Croft is coming.”
The series is set to be one of Amazon Prime Video’s most ambitious projects to date, bringing the beloved video game franchise to life with a fresh perspective. Turner, who earned an Emmy nomination for her role in Game of Thrones, has also recently appeared in the ITV drama Joan and the thriller film Trust, with the British series The Dreadful also on the horizon.
Stepping into Legendary Shoes
Taking on the role of Lara Croft is a significant undertaking, with previous portrayals by Hollywood heavyweights Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. Turner admitted to feeling both excited and daunted by the prospect. “I am thrilled beyond measure to be playing Lara Croft,” she stated. “She’s such an iconic character, who means so much to so many – and I am giving everything I’ve got. They’re massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances, but with Phoebe 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.”
Reports suggest that Turner beat out a competitive field of actresses, including Mackenzie Davis, Emma Mackey, and Lucy Boynton, for the coveted role. With a powerhouse creative team and a dedicated lead actress, the new Tomb Raider series is poised to be a thrilling adventure for fans old and new.
