TOMB RAIDER Star Sophie Turner Says Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft Won’t Be a "Sex Bombshell"
Lara Croft is heading back into the spotlight, but maybe not in the way longtime fans might expect. Sophie Turner, who’s set to lead Prime Video’s upcoming Tomb Raider series, is making it clear that this version of the iconic adventurer won’t be defined by sex appeal.
Instead, the focus is on who Lara is, what drives her, and why she’s such a compelling character beyond the surface.
Turner is stepping into the role of Lara Croft for Prime Video, bringing the legendary video game hero to television with a fresh perspective. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, she explained that leaning into old-school portrayals wasn’t something she was interested in exploring.
She said Lara is not going to be a “sex bombshell,” adding, “It’s about her and her story and what drives her, rather than what so many people also love about her, which is how hot she is in the games and the movies. But I really want to show the other side.”
That approach lines up with how Turner sees the character at her core. For her, Lara Croft’s appeal comes from confidence, skill, and self-belief rather than appearance. “She’s so unashamedly capable,” Turner said.
“She is not a woman who hides her strengths at all.” It’s a take that feels very much in step with modern storytelling and a shift away from the more exaggerated portrayals that defined earlier versions of the character.
The creative vision behind the series also supports that direction. The show is being created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, best known for Fleabag. While specific plot details are still being kept quiet, the goal seems clear: present Lara Croft as a fully realized person, not just an action figure come to life.
Turner’s comments also reflect the kind of work she’s actively seeking out. “I want really nuanced, authentic character,” she said. She’s no stranger to action-heavy roles either, having previously played Jean Grey in the X-Men films, so the physical demands of Tomb Raider won’t be new territory.
As for when audiences will get to see this new take on Lara Croft, Tomb Raider is currently expected to land on Prime Video sometime in 2027 or 2028, with no official release date announced yet.
Until then, Turner’s comments offer a signal that this series aims to redefine what Lara Croft represents, focusing less on image and more on the strength and substance that made the character iconic in the first place.