Sophie Turner Embraces Lara Croft Role in Surrey Tomb Raider Shoot
Sophie Turner fully immersed herself in the character of Lara Croft on Monday, as she was photographed wielding dual firearms during dramatic Tomb Raider action sequences filmed in the woodlands of Surrey. The 29-year-old actress, who is the latest star to take on this iconic video game role, was seen moving swiftly through the forest with her weapons drawn while the crew captured both close-up shots and wider angles.
Intense Action Sequences and Detailed Costuming
Turner appeared completely in character as she performed physically demanding scenes in the wooded area before approaching a stone building nestled among the trees. The Game of Thrones star was observed sheltering against a stone wall before throwing a weapon through a small window. Her costume perfectly channeled Lara Croft's adventurous aesthetic, featuring a brown holster belt, khaki cargo trousers, a brown jumper, and a layered blue waistcoat.
She completed the ensemble with black knee-high boots containing a knife tucked into the top, along with a small backpack. Her long hair was styled in a neat braid, adding to the authentic Tomb Raider look. During the filming, Turner was spotted being chased through the woodland by two armed individuals, adding to the intensity of the action sequences.
Night Shoots and Co-Star Collaboration
Earlier in the week, the actress was seen filming a knife fight in the rain within the same woodland location. She also made a swift escape on a motorbike driven by her co-star Martin Bobb-Semple, who plays Zip, Lara's trusted tech support and friend in the series. The 28-year-old actor will appear alongside Turner in this highly anticipated adaptation.
The night shoots transformed the quiet Surrey location into a muddy battleground illuminated by floodlights. Turner appeared focused and intense throughout the filming, particularly during a scene where a weapon was thrown back at her through a window, causing her to freeze momentarily in character.
Extensive Preparation and Physical Challenges
Turner has been preparing for this role for over a year, following in the footsteps of previous Lara Croft portrayals by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. In an interview with ScreenRant, she revealed that her preparation began in February 2025, stating: "I've been training for a long time now, coming up on a year, and we're going to start shooting in January."
The physical demands have not been without challenges. Appearing on The Julia Cunningham Show, Turner disclosed that she developed a recurring back problem during the grueling training process. "We've been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February last year, of training. Yeah, so it's been a lot," she explained. "I've learned I have a perpetual back problem, but I also realized that it's much easier to build muscle if you've ever worked out before in your life, which I never had."
From Sansa Stark to Lara Croft
Despite her experience on Game of Thrones, where she played Sansa Stark for eight seasons, Turner insisted that her previous role did not prepare her for the physical demands of Tomb Raider. "No, I was the cool queen who, like, didn't have to do that. I also just kind of was the one that got beat up, not the one doing the beating," she said. "So, it's quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it."
The new Tomb Raider series is being developed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as creator, writer, and executive producer. The Fleabag star announced Turner's casting in September, expressing her excitement: "I'm so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara alongside this phenomenal creative team. It's not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving."
Competition and Anticipation
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Turner beat out competition from several actresses including Mackenzie Davis, Emma Mackey, and Lucy Boynton for the coveted role. The series, inspired by the beloved video game franchise, will follow the daring adventures of archaeologist and explorer Lara Croft and is positioned to be one of Prime Video's most ambitious launches.
Speaking about stepping into Lara Croft's boots, Turner admitted to feeling both excited and daunted: "I am thrilled beyond measure to be playing Lara Croft. She's such an iconic character, who means so much to so many - and I am giving everything I've got. They're massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances, but with Phoebe at the helm, we (and Lara) are all in very safe hands."
The actress, who received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Sansa Stark, recently starred in the ITV drama Joan and the thriller film Trust, and will next appear in the British series The Dreadful. The Tomb Raider series represents a significant new chapter in her career as she takes on one of entertainment's most iconic action roles.
