Prime Video has officially shared the first look at Sophie Turner in the role of Lara Croft, marking the beginning of production for the highly anticipated Tomb Raider television series. The image features Turner wearing the character's classic attire, complete with a teal tank top, red-tinted sunglasses, a leather backpack, and dual handgun holsters. This visual reveal coincides with the news that filming is now underway for the Amazon Original production.

The series is being developed by Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as the show's writer and executive producer. Waller-Bridge has expressed deep personal excitement for the project, noting that the franchise was a significant part of her own life. The show aims to connect various eras of the franchise into a unified storytelling universe.

Alongside Turner, the production has assembled a high-profile cast. Sigourney Weaver stars as Evelyn Wallis, a mysterious figure looking to exploit Lara's skills. Jason Isaacs portrays Lara's uncle, Atlas DeMornay, while Bill Paterson takes on the role of the loyal butler, Winston. Other cast members include Martin Bobb-Semple as Zip, Celia Imrie as Francine, and Sasha Luss as a competitive new adversary named Sasha.

Turner has been dedicated to preparing for the role, revealing an intense training regimen that began in February 2025. She has been working out for eight hours a day, five days a week, a major change for the actress who admitted she had never followed a fitness routine before this. Beyond the physical preparation, Turner is researching the character by playing the original video games and reading the extensive comic collections. Interestingly, she is intentionally avoiding the previous film adaptations starring Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander to ensure her portrayal remains unique and avoids imitation.

Initial fan reactions to Turner's casting were mixed, with some devotees of the game series expressing doubt. However, the release of the first official photo has led to a notable shift in sentiment, with many fans online praising her resemblance to the iconic archaeologist. Discussion on social media has highlighted both excitement for the show's high production values and ongoing debates regarding the tone of the series. Some fans hope for a return to the campy, supernatural adventures of the original games, while others are interested to see how the show handles the grounded character depth introduced in the more recent game reboots.

The Tomb Raider franchise has a long history spanning nearly thirty years, beginning with the original game release in 1996. Over the decades, it has seen numerous sequels and multiple reboots that have redefined Lara Croft for different generations. This new series represents the latest attempt to bring the character to life for a modern audience, combining elements from throughout the character's history. While a specific release date has not yet been confirmed, industry speculation suggests a potential launch in late 2026.

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