The wait is finally over for one of the most anticipated casting reveals in recent television history. Amazon has officially pulled back the curtain on its upcoming Tomb Raider series, releasing a stunning first-look image of Sophie Turner as the world’s most famous archaeologist, Lara Croft. The reveal coincides with the official start of production, marking a new era for a franchise that has lived through multiple iterations across gaming and cinema.
Our First Look
In this first glimpse, Turner—best known for her transformative decade-long journey as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones—steps into the boots of an adventurer who looks both strikingly familiar and refreshingly new. While the series is being billed as a “new take” on the character, the image confirms that the creative team is leaning into the classic iconography that made Lara Croft a household name in the 1990s. Turner is seen sporting the tactical gear and focused, grit-infused expression that fans of the original Core Design games will immediately recognize. It is a visual bridge between the pixelated hero of the past and the prestige drama of the future.
An Ensemble of Legends and New Faces
While Sophie Turner is the undisputed anchor of the series, Amazon has surrounded her with a powerhouse ensemble that suggests this is far more than a solo survival story. One of the most buzz-worthy additions is the legendary Sigourney Weaver, who steps into the role of Evelyn Wallis. Described as a mysterious and high-flying woman, Wallis is a character created specifically for the show, one who is apparently very keen on exploiting Lara’s unique talents for her own ends. Having a sci-fi and action icon like Weaver opposite Turner adds a layer of weight and gravitas to the series that immediately elevates its status in the crowded streaming landscape.
The supporting cast is a deliberate mix of franchise canon and original creations. Jason Isaacs joins the fray as Lara’s uncle, Atlas DeMornay, a character rooted in the deeper lore of the series. His inclusion suggests we may be diving into the complex, often fractured history of the Croft family tree. He is joined by fellow canon staples like Bill Paterson—who recently appeared as Lord Lyman Beesbury in House of the Dragon—playing Winston, the loyal and long-suffering Croft family butler. Additionally, Martin Bobb-Semple has been cast as Zip, Lara’s brilliant tech support and one of her few genuine friends, a role that was a fan-favorite in the Legend and Underworld gaming eras.
The Rest of the Cast
Beyond the established names, the series is populating Lara’s world with a colorful cast of characters designed to flesh out her modern-day adventures. Jack Bannon stars as Gerry, Lara’s personal pilot and, perhaps most importantly, her snack collector, providing what will likely be much-needed moments of levity. On the more serious side of things, John Heffernan plays David, an exhausted government official caught up in Lara’s whirlwind life, while Paterson Joseph plays Thomas Warner, a senior official tasked with cleaning up the “almighty messes” Lara tends to leave behind.
The British Museum also serves as a key setting for the show’s intellectual high-stakes, featuring Celia Imrie as Francine, a champagne-sipping head of advancement, and Juliette Motamed as Georgia, a by-the-books curator dedicated to the proper preservation of history. Of course, no Tomb Raider story is complete without a foil, and Sasha Luss joins as Sasha, a fierce and deeply competitive adversary, alongside August Wittgenstein as Lukas, an illegal raider who shares a complicated history with Lara.
The Waller-Bridge Vision
The creative muscle behind the camera is just as impressive as the faces on screen. The series is led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the Emmy-winning creator of Fleabag, who serves as the writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge. Jonathan Van Tulleken, who has a history of directing high-tension drama, takes the helm as director.
Waller-Bridge’s involvement is perhaps the most exciting element of this reinvention. Known for her sharp wit, complicated female protagonists, and ability to balance humor with deep emotional vulnerability, her version of Lara Croft is expected to be more layered than any we have seen before. The goal is to reinvent the franchise on a massive scale, moving away from the “isolated survivor” trope and into a world where Lara is a fully realized, socially integrated, and intellectually formidable woman navigating a world of global politics and ancient secrets.
A Unified Tomb Raider Universe
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of Amazon’s strategy is the “unified storytelling universe.” This series isn’t just a standalone project; it is designed to interconnect directly with the future of the Tomb Raider video games. This massive multimedia push aims to ensure that the Lara Croft you see on your television is the same one you control with your console.
To that end, fans received some massive news regarding the gaming side of the franchise during the recent Game Awards. In 2026, we are slated to receive Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a reimagining of the very first 1996 game. Following that, a brand-new title, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, is scheduled for a 2027 release. In a move that mirrors the TV show’s desire for consistency, it has been confirmed that Alix Wilton Regan will take over as the voice and motion-capture actress for Lara Croft in both games, replacing Camilla Luddington from the previous trilogy.
While we are still waiting for an official release date for the Prime Video series, the start of production and the reveal of Sophie Turner in the role has effectively jump-started the hype train. With a script from one of the best writers in the business, a cast full of heavy hitters, and a visual style that pays homage to the character’s roots while looking firmly toward the future, the Tomb Raider TV series is shaping up to be the definitive take on the Lady of the Manor.
For now, we can only look at that first image and wonder what ancient secrets Turner’s Lara Croft will uncover first. One thing is certain: the world of archaeology has never looked this dangerous—or this exciting.
