The legendary Lara Croft is returning to screens with a star-studded team of adventurers, allies, and enemies. Amazon MGM Studios has officially announced the full main cast for the upcoming Tomb Raider series, revealing the actors who will bring beloved characters from the video games to life alongside intriguing new additions created for the show. The series will be led by Sophie Turner as Lara Croft and features major stars like Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs.
Created and co-showrun by Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the series promises to honor the game’s legacy while exploring new territory. The cast announcement confirms that filming is beginning this month, with production set to start on January 19. This marks a major step forward for the project, which has been in development since early 2023.
The Core Tomb Raider Team and Family
At the heart of the series is Sophie Turner taking on the iconic role of adventurer and archaeologist Lara Croft. Turner shared her excitement about the part, stating, “I’ve been a long-time fan of Tomb Raider and the character of Lara. She has always felt for me, very emboldened in a male dominated world. She’s a fierce female role model!“.
Joining her are three actors playing characters well-known to fans of the game franchise.
- Jason Isaacs is Atlas DeMornay, Lara’s uncle. In the games, Atlas is the brother of Lara’s mother and has been involved in attempts to control the Croft family estate, suggesting potential family conflict in the series.
- Bill Paterson plays Winston, the longstanding and loyal Croft family butler. Paterson, known for his role in Fleabag, previously worked with producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
- Martin Bobb-Semple takes on the role of Zip, Lara’s essential tech support and friend who provides her with critical information. The character has appeared in multiple Tomb Raider games and the recent Netflix animated series.
New Characters and Adversaries Joining the Adventure
The series will also introduce several new characters specifically created for this adaptation, expanding the Tomb Raider universe. The most notable new addition is played by an entertainment icon.
Sigourney Weaver joins the cast as Evelyn Wallis, described as “a mysterious, high-flying woman who is keen to exploit Lara’s talents”. This role suggests Weaver will be a powerful figure with ambiguous motives, possibly a mentor or a formidable antagonist.
The rest of the ensemble cast fills out Lara’s world with allies, officials, and rivals:
- Jack Bannon is Gerry, Lara’s personal pilot humorously noted as a “snack collector”.
- John Heffernan plays David, an exhausted government official who gets involved in Lara’s unpredictable adventures.
- Celia Imrie is Francine, the Head of Advancement at the British Museum, focused on fundraising.
- Paterson Joseph plays Thomas Warner, a senior government official tasked with managing the chaos Lara often creates.
- Sasha Luss portrays Sasha, a fierce and deeply competitive new adversary for Lara.
- Juliette Motamed is Georgia, a dedicated, by-the-books curator at the British Museum.
- August Wittgenstein plays Lukas, an illegal raider who shares a complex history with Lara.
Creative Vision and Production Details
The series is a passion project for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as creator, writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner. She expressed her enthusiasm for the cast, saying, “Tomb Raider boasts a plethora of iconic characters. I am thrilled to have been able to bring some personal and fan favourites to the screen while also introducing a few new rascals of our own to the mix. This cast is beyond my wildest dreams!“.
Also Read:
She is joined by co-showrunner and executive producer Chad Hodge. Jonathan Van Tulleken will direct and executive produce the series. The production is a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios, the game developer Crystal Dynamics, and Legendary Television.
While a specific release date on Prime Video has not been announced, the confirmation that filming begins this month provides a clearer timeline for when audiences can expect to see the series. Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television at Amazon MGM Studios, stated, “Tomb Raider has always been defined by bold storytelling and unforgettable characters, and these new cast members bring incredible depth and gravitas to the series… we’re elevating this world in exciting new ways, and can’t wait for our global Prime Video audience to experience this next chapter of Tomb Raider.“.
Also Read: Goliath Parents Guide: Breaking Down the Content in the Prime Video Legal Drama
