Amazon has officially locked in its new adventurer, and she’s already a household name. Sophie Turner, best known as Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones and Jean Grey from X-Men, has been confirmed as the lead of Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming Tomb Raider series.
The announcement doesn’t come out of nowhere. Whispers about Turner stepping into Lara Croft’s boots surfaced as early as late 2024, when she reportedly beat out Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton for the coveted role. But now it’s official: Turner will take on one of gaming’s most enduring icons when cameras roll on January 19, 2026.
For Amazon, this project is more than just another franchise swing. Lara Croft is one of pop culture’s most recognizable heroines, and the studio is clearly aiming to position Tomb Raider as a global tentpole. First revealed in early 2023 and greenlit in 2024, the series has had plenty of time to build anticipation—and expectations.
Behind the scenes, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) remains the creative force steering the ship. She’s the show’s creator, writer, and executive producer, but she won’t be going it alone. Veteran showrunner Chad Hodge (Wayward Pines, Good Behavior) has joined as co-showrunner and executive producer, signaling that Amazon wants a blend of Waller-Bridge’s sharp wit and Hodge’s genre experience.
Waller-Bridge is leaning into the nostalgia: “It’s not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving,” she said in a statement. “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 move is also a milestone for Turner, who has spent the last few years taking on selective roles while navigating a high-profile personal life. Landing Lara Croft could cement her as a generational action star—something her resume has hinted at but never fully delivered.
While no release date has been announced, the timeline suggests fans may not see the series until 2027. But Amazon is banking that the wait will be worth it. With Turner headlining, Waller-Bridge shaping the story, and a character with decades of cultural cachet, the studio is signaling that this won’t just be another reboot. It’s aiming to redefine Lara Croft for a new era of streaming dominance.