First Image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft for ‘Tomb Raider’ Released After Backlash: Fans React
Between 2001 and 2018, three Tomb Raider movies were released with Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander cast as the iconic video game character. Then, a new live-action adaptation of the franchise was announced, and fans learned that Sophie Turner would portray the beloved character in an upcoming Prime Video series.
After that news was received poorly, a new image of the show's version of Croft has been released, and it has inspired varied reactions on social media.
The First Image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft for ‘Tomb Raider’ Is Now Revealed
In September 2025, Deadline announced the news that Sophie Turner had been tapped to star in a Tomb Raider show that would have Phoebe Waller-Bridge as its co-showrunner. Now, months later, fans of the video game franchise and its main character have gotten the an official look at Turner, 29, as Lara Croft.
On January 15th, 2026, Prime Video released the debut image of Turner as Croft, the character who was introduced in the first Tomb Raider video game, which was released in October 1996. The photo shows Turner wearing gear, sunglasses with red lenses, and holding a weapon, all of which help it to look remarkably faithful to depictions of Croft that have existed since the franchise began.
Jay Maidment/Prime
A January 2026 The Hollywood Reporter article revealed that the Tomb Raider show had added Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Celia Imrie, Bill Paterson, and Martin Bobb-Semple, among others, to its cast. The outlet also quoted a statement Turner recently released about getting to star in the highly anticipated show.
“I’ve been a long-time fan of Tomb Raider and the character of Lara. She has always felt for me, very emboldened in a male-dominated world. She’s a fierce female role model!”
After Sophie Turner’s ‘Tomb Raider’ Casting Inspired a Backlash, Fans Are Reacting To Seeing Her as Lara Croft for the First Time
In September 2025, the reactions to a post on the r/TombRaider subreddit reflected the negativity that existed in the immediate aftermath of the Sophie Turner as Lara Croft casting news. One of the top comments described Turner as "an odd choice for Lara," while another called the decision "bizarre," before writing, "so many other actors who would fit the role better." Many more of the top comments were even more negative as they criticized Turner's acting abilities.
Now that the first image of Turner as Croft has been released, however, there has been a much more mixed reaction, as the X posts desctribed below illustrate. The newly released photo hasn't stopped the fact that there are still some detractors, including @Araphiel, who maintained Turner's casting was a bad choice. "I like that they're going for a more classic styling, but I still think Sophie Turner is terribly miscast as Lara."
One interesting response came from @UnrealAmas, who remained skeptical but hoped to be proven wrong. "I aired concerns before… And now I'm seeing this. I don't think Sophie's ideal for Lara Croft. Great actress, wrong role. Looks more like cosplay than the actual thing. I hope she proves me wrong with a kickass performance though… Cos I really think she can act." Similarly, another user wrote about not being sold on the casting of Turner but seemed to be approaching the series with cautious optimism. "She looks good. Definitely close to the classic Lara look. Forgetting other nonsensical stuff, Sophie looks pretty good. But now I gotta see her in action. Need that first trailer."
The first look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in #TombRaider show... https://t.co/iwMIKKnDTf
— Jakejames Lugo (@jakejameslugo) January 15, 2026
She looks good. Definitely close to the classic Lara look. Forgetting other nonsensical stuff, Sophie looks pretty good.
But now I gotta see her in action. Need that first trailer.
There have also been some fans who've had extremely positive reactions to the image, including @nicolasfrcts, who wrote about being unprepared for how much they would love the photo. "Guys!!! It's dangerous to spring news like this on us without warning. Wow, Sophie is magnificent in the role of Lara! All the best for her and everyone involved ????" @2G1Reviews also praised the image. "Yes yes and yes. Looking forward to the Tomb Raider show. At least they got the look of Lara right."