Sophie Turner has been training for nearly a year to become the next live-action Lara Croft. The actress shared a major update on the upcoming Prime Video Tomb Raider series, revealing that production is set to begin very soon and promising fans something special from the new adaptation.
Speaking about her intense preparation, Turner explained that her training regimen started in February 2025 and will have spanned almost a full year by the time cameras start rolling. The series, created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, begins its main production phase on January 19, 2026.
Inside Sophie Turner’s Lara Croft Training Regimen
To transform into the iconic video game adventurer, Sophie Turner has committed to a grueling and long-term fitness plan. Her preparation goes far beyond simple workouts, focusing on building the real strength, stamina, and agility needed to perform as a believable action hero.
“I can’t say much, but my preparation began in February this year (2025). I’ve been training for a long time now, coming up on a year, and we’re going to start shooting in January,” Turner told ScreenRant.
While the exact details of her daily routine are private, the training is known to be intensive and goal-oriented. It is designed to develop the functional strength required for action sequences, fight choreography, and challenging stunts that a character like Lara Croft would undertake. This means Turner’s regimen likely includes elements of combat training, climbing, agility work, and hardcore conditioning—all aimed at making her physically competent to portray a globe-trotting archaeologist and survivor.
The Star-Studded Team Behind the Tomb Raider Series
This new series brings together a notable team both in front of and behind the camera. The project is spearheaded by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the acclaimed creator of Fleabag, who serves as the writer, creator, and executive producer. Waller-Bridge expressed her excitement about Turner joining the project in a statement last year.
“I’m so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara alongside this phenomenal creative team,” Waller-Bridge said. “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”.
Turner will be joined by a strong supporting cast. Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the series, with speculation that she may play the villain Ana from the Rise of the Tomb Raider game. Jason Isaacs and Martin Bobb-Semple are also confirmed to star in the series, though their specific roles have not been disclosed.
The series is a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios, Crystal Dynamics (the makers of the Tomb Raider video games), and Legendary Television. It is part of a larger deal to develop new Tomb Raider stories for both television and film.
A New Chapter for Sophie Turner and an Iconic Character
For Sophie Turner, taking on the role of Lara Croft marks a significant and refreshing shift in her career. Best known for playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones and Jean Grey in the X-Men film series, Turner sees Lara as a departure from the characters she usually portrays.
In a recent cover story interview, Turner shared that she is often drawn to roles involving characters who question themselves. Lara Croft represents a change, as someone perceived as strong and decisive. She described landing the part as an thrilling moment, stating she was “over the moon”.
The actress also touched on the personal significance of this intense project, linking it to her own growth and resilience. She views the demanding preparation as a challenge that stretches her abilities.
“As stressed as I am, I know I can get through it. That’s the good thing about having a relatively hard twenties: I learned that I can survive a lot,” Turner reflected in an interview.
This role continues the legacy of a character previously brought to life on the big screen by Angelina Jolie in the early 2000s and Alicia Vikander in a 2018 reboot. More recently, Hayley Atwell voiced the character in Netflix’s animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Turner has acknowledged the “massive shoes to fill” but expressed confidence in Waller-Bridge’s vision.
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What We Know About the Upcoming Series
The live-action Tomb Raider television series was officially greenlit by Prime Video in May 2024. While a specific premiere date has not been announced, with filming starting in January 2026, industry reports suggest a likely release window in 2027.
The series will be available globally on Prime Video. The show is based on the iconic video game franchise that follows archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft as she explores ancient ruins and uncovers historical secrets.
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