LOS ANGELES, January 18, 2026
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The actress discovered a chronic back condition while preparing for the physically demanding role of Lara Croft.
- Sophie Turner underwent eight hours of daily training for the upcoming “Tomb Raider” series.
- The intense regimen led to the discovery of a pre-existing back problem.
- Turner emphasized that building muscle as a fitness novice took months of dedication.
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge is creatively directing the series, offering a fresh take on the iconic character.
Sophie Turner’s transformation into the iconic Lara Croft for the upcoming Tomb Raider series came with an unexpected revelation: a chronic back condition she never knew she had. The actress, 29, shared that the rigorous physical preparation demanded by the role exposed a long-term issue, turning a quest for strength into a journey of self-discovery.
A Grueling Training Schedule
To embody the adventurous archaeologist, Turner committed to an intense training schedule of eight hours a day, five days a week, beginning in February of last year. “We have been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February of last year, so it has been a lot,” she revealed during an interview on The Julia Cunningham Show. This demanding routine ultimately brought a previously undetected physical discomfort to light.
“I found out that I have a perpetual back problem,” Turner shared, explaining that the pain became apparent as she progressed through the training. Far from being discouraged, she viewed the experience as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of her body.
Turner admitted she had never followed such a strict exercise regimen before, and the physical demands of Lara Croft represented her first real foray into athletic conditioning. “I also realized that it’s much easier to build muscle if you’ve never exercised in your life, which I’ve never done. It’s taken me months and months and months to get in good shape,” she commented.
From ‘Game of Thrones’ to Action Hero
While many associate Turner with action sequences from her role in Game of Thrones, she clarified that her previous experience differed significantly. “I was the one who received the beatings, not the one who gave them,” she recalled, adding that she particularly valued “learning to throw a punch and not just receive it.”
A New Lara Croft
The upcoming series, creatively led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, promises a fresh interpretation of Lara Croft, a character who first captivated audiences in video games in 1996. Over the years, the intrepid archaeologist has faced both human adversaries and extraordinary creatures.
For Turner, stepping into the role of such a well-known figure carries a significant responsibility. “They are huge shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander with her powerful performances, but with Phoebe at the helm, we (and Lara) are in very safe hands,” she assured.
Just days ago, Prime Video released the first official image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft for the Tomb Raider series. The photograph showcases the character’s classic attire: shorts, a sleeveless shirt, a leather backpack, red glasses, and a gun on her thigh, evoking the original 1990s video game design.
Approved in May 2024, the project is spearheaded by Waller-Bridge as screenwriter, executive producer, and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge, with Jonathan van Tulleken directing. Production is a collaboration between Story Kitchen, Crystal Dynamics, Amazon MGM Studios, and Legendary Television.
The cast also features Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis, an enigmatic woman intrigued by Lara’s abilities; Jason Isaacs as Atlas DeMornay, the protagonist’s uncle; and Celia Imrie as Francine, the head of the British Museum. Martin Bobb-Semple plays Zip, Lara’s tech ally, while Bill Paterson is Winston, the Croft family butler. Jack Bannon portrays Gerry, the protagonist’s pilot, and John Heffernan is David, a government official involved in Lara’s missions.
Rounding out the cast are Thomas Warner (Paterson Joseph), Georgia (Juliette Motamed), Sasha (Sasha Luss), and Lukas (August Wittgenstein), who will add new layers to the story.
The new series is part of a broader expansion of the Tomb Raider franchise, with two additional titles – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst – planned for release in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
