From Jolie To Turner: The Full Lineup Of Actors Who Have Played Lara Croft In Tomb Raider

The iconic adventurer Lara Croft has been brought to life by a fascinating lineup of acclaimed actresses, each putting a distinct spin on the brilliant archaeologist and globe-trotting heroine. The cinematic legacy of the Tomb Raider franchise spans three major films and, most recently, a highly anticipated new television series, ensuring the character remains a staple of action cinema and television into the current year.

As of late 2024, the conversation around the Tomb Raider cast is more exciting than ever, thanks to the announcement of a new live-action series and its surprising choice for the lead role. This article provides a deep dive into every major actor who has stepped into the role of Lara Croft and the powerful supporting casts that defined each era of the franchise, from the early 2000s blockbusters to the upcoming Prime Video reboot.

The Actresses Who Defined Lara Croft: A Complete Profile

The role of Lara Croft is one of the most physically demanding and culturally significant in modern cinema, requiring a blend of intelligence, athleticism, and charisma. Three actresses have officially embodied the character in major live-action productions, each bringing a unique background to the role.

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Angelina Jolie: The Original Blockbuster Icon

• Full Name: Angelina Jolie Voight
• Born: June 4, 1975 (Los Angeles, California)
• Lara Croft Films: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
• Major Accolades: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Girl, Interrupted), three Golden Globe Awards.
• Key Filmography Highlights: Girl, Interrupted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Maleficent, Salt.

Alicia Vikander: The Gritty Reboot Archeologist

• Full Name: Alicia Amanda Vikander
• Born: October 3, 1988 (Gothenburg, Sweden)
• Lara Croft Film: Tomb Raider (2018)
• Major Accolades: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (The Danish Girl), Screen Actors Guild Award.
• Key Filmography Highlights: Ex Machina, The Danish Girl, Jason Bourne, The Green Knight.

Sophie Turner: The New Face for the Streaming Era

• Full Name: Sophie Belinda Turner
• Born: February 21, 1996 (Northampton, England)
• Lara Croft Project: Upcoming Prime Video Live-Action Series (Confirmed Late 2024)
• Major Career Break: Sansa Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
• Key Filmography Highlights: Game of Thrones, Dark Phoenix, Josie, Another Me.

The Supporting Casts That Shaped the Tomb Raider Films

A great Lara Croft needs a compelling cast of allies and adversaries. The three feature films are notable for featuring an impressive roster of established and future stars in key supporting roles, adding significant weight to the action-adventure narrative.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and The Cradle of Life (2003)

Angelina Jolie’s two outings as Lara Croft brought the video game sensation into the mainstream. The supporting cast for these films included a mix of British and Hollywood talent, many of whom have gone on to achieve global recognition.

• Daniel Craig (Alex West): Before becoming James Bond, Craig played Alex West, a rival archaeologist and love interest for Lara Croft in the 2001 film.
• Jon Voight (Lord Richard Croft): Jolie’s real-life father played Lara's eccentric and adventurous father, Lord Richard Croft, a pivotal character who sets Lara's quest in motion.
• Iain Glen (Manfred Powell): The Scottish actor, known for his later role as Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones, played the main antagonist in the first film, Manfred Powell.
• Chris Barrie (Hillary): Best known for Red Dwarf, Barrie played Hillary, Lara's loyal but often flustered butler and caretaker of Croft Manor.

The second film, The Cradle of Life, directed by Jan de Bont (known for Speed), featured an international cast, including Ciarán Hinds as the villain Dr. Jonathan Reiss and Djimon Hounsou as Kosa.

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Tomb Raider (2018) Reboot Cast

The 2018 reboot, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Roar Uthaug, focused on a younger, more grounded Lara Croft, mirroring the gritty tone of the contemporary video games. The casting decisions for this film emphasized dramatic acting talent alongside the action.

• Dominic West (Lord Richard Croft): West, known for his work in The Wire and The Crown, played Lara's father, whose disappearance drives the plot.
• Walton Goggins (Mathias Vogel): Goggins, a master of complex villains, played the ruthless antagonist Mathias Vogel, a rival archaeologist obsessed with finding the tomb.
• Daniel Wu (Lu Ren): Wu played Lu Ren, the ship captain who aids Lara on her journey to the lost island of Yamatai, acting as a key ally.
• Kristin Scott Thomas (Ana Miller): The Oscar-nominated actress played Ana Miller, a business partner of Richard Croft and a seemingly trustworthy figure in Lara’s life.
• Nick Frost (Max): In a smaller but memorable role, Frost provided comedic relief as a pawn shop owner.

The Future of Tomb Raider: Sophie Turner and Phoebe Waller-Bridge

The most significant and recent development in the Tomb Raider live-action universe is the announcement of a new series for Prime Video. This project signals a complete shift in creative direction, moving away from the film model to a serialized, long-form television format. The confirmed cast and crew are a major draw for fans of prestige TV.

A Surprising New Creative Team

The upcoming series is being led by a powerhouse creative force: Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Waller-Bridge, the creator and star of the critically acclaimed series Fleabag and a writer on the James Bond film No Time to Die, is serving as the creator, writer, and an executive producer.

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Her involvement suggests a tonal departure from the previous films, potentially leaning into the character’s sharp wit and complex psychological profile. Chad Hodge, known for his work on Wayward Pines, is joining Waller-Bridge as a co-showrunner and executive producer, further cementing the show’s high-profile status.

What Sophie Turner Brings to Lara Croft

The casting of Sophie Turner as the new Lara Croft has generated substantial buzz. Turner is best known for her nearly decade-long run as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, a role that saw her character evolve from a naive noblewoman to a powerful, politically astute leader.

This experience in a massive, high-stakes fantasy world makes her an ideal choice to portray an adventurer who is both physically capable and intellectually formidable. The series is expected to explore a new chapter in Lara's life, offering a fresh, modern interpretation of the character for a new generation of viewers on the streaming platform.

While the full supporting cast for the Prime Video series is still being finalized and is subject to new announcements, the combination of Turner’s star power and Waller-Bridge’s unique vision has already made this the most talked-about Tomb Raider project in years. Fans are eagerly awaiting news on which actors will join the cast to play classic supporting characters like Zip, Alister, or a new generation of villains and allies for the legendary adventurer.

The Legacy of Lara Croft’s Actors

The journey of Tomb Raider on screen is a testament to the enduring appeal of its central character. From Angelina Jolie's high-octane, established adventurer to Alicia Vikander's grounded, survivalist origin story, each actress has successfully captured a different facet of the iconic video game heroine. The upcoming series with Sophie Turner is poised to continue this evolution, proving that the character of Lara Croft remains a compelling and versatile vehicle for some of the biggest acting talents in the industry.