Sophie Turner Films Intense Tomb Raider Action Scenes in Rainy Surrey
Sophie Turner was seen braving the elements as she filmed dramatic knife fight sequences for the upcoming Tomb Raider series in Surrey on Wednesday. The 29-year-old actress, who takes on the iconic role of Lara Croft, engaged in physically demanding scenes under floodlights in a wooded area transformed into a muddy battleground.
Night Shoot Features Motorbike Escape and Knife Combat
During the night shoot, Turner was observed wielding a knife while running between trees before being rescued by her co-star Martin Bobb-Semple, 28, who plays Zip, Lara's trusted tech support and friend. The pair filmed intense action sequences that culminated in a swift motorbike escape, with Bobb-Semple driving Turner away from the scene.
The filming location, typically quiet, was illuminated by floodlights and turned into a challenging environment by persistent rain. Turner appeared visibly worn as she got into character, crouching to catch her breath after running through the woods before Bobb-Semple arrived to whisk her away on the motorbike.
Year-Long Training and Physical Challenges
Turner has been preparing for this role for over a year, following in the footsteps of previous Lara Croft portrayers Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. In an interview with ScreenRant, she revealed her preparation began in February 2025, stating, "I've been training for a long time now, coming up on a year."
The rigorous training regimen has not been without its difficulties. Turner disclosed on The Julia Cunningham Show that she developed a recurring back problem during the process, noting, "We've been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February last year, of training." She added that building muscle was particularly challenging as she had never worked out extensively before.
From Game of Thrones to Tomb Raider
Despite her experience on Game of Thrones as Sansa Stark, Turner emphasized 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," she explained. "So, it's quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it."
The new series is created, written, and executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who expressed excitement about Turner's casting in September. "I'm so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara," Waller-Bridge said, describing the creative team as "wildly passionate about Lara."
Ambitious Prime Video Project
Inspired by the beloved video game franchise, the series will follow the adventures of archaeologist and explorer Lara Croft. Turner reportedly beat out competition from actresses including Mackenzie Davis, Emma Mackey, and Lucy Boynton for the role.
Speaking about stepping into Lara Croft's boots, Turner admitted to feeling both thrilled and daunted. "I am thrilled beyond measure to be playing Lara Croft," she said. "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 are all in very safe hands."
The series, backed by a heavyweight team of executive producers, is positioned as one of Prime Video's most ambitious launches to date. Turner, who received an Emmy nomination for her role in Game of Thrones, recently starred in the ITV drama Joan and the thriller film Trust, with her next appearance scheduled in the British series The Dreadful.
