The New Era Of Lara Croft: Everything We Know About The Amazon Prime Video 'Tomb Raider' Series (Not A Film)

The search for a "new Lara Croft Tomb Raider film" has finally yielded a definitive answer, but with a major twist: the next live-action adventure for the iconic archaeologist will not be a movie, but a high-profile, interconnected television series for Amazon Prime Video. As of December 2025, the project is moving forward with a powerhouse creative team and a surprising new lead, signaling a complete reboot and a fresh start for the franchise on the small screen. This pivot from the cinematic failure of the canceled Alicia Vikander sequel marks a strategic move to build a more expansive, long-form narrative universe for the legendary adventurer.

The news is particularly exciting because the series is being spearheaded by one of the most acclaimed writers in modern television, promising a take on Lara Croft that is both action-packed and deeply character-driven. Forget the old films; this is a completely new chapter designed for a global streaming audience, and we have all the latest details on the cast, crew, and production timeline.

The New Lara Croft: Cast, Crew, and Production Status

The next iteration of the *Tomb Raider* live-action franchise is an ambitious Prime Video series, not a film, and it boasts an impressive roster of talent both in front of and behind the camera. This project is a complete reboot, entirely separate from the Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander films.

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Key Personnel and Confirmed Cast

• Creator, Writer, and Co-Showrunner: Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Known for *Fleabag*, *Killing Eve*, and *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*).
• Starring as Lara Croft: Sophie Turner (Known for playing Sansa Stark in *Game of Thrones* and Jean Grey in the *X-Men* films).
• Co-Showrunner and Executive Producer: Chad Hodge (Known for *Good Behavior* and *Wayward Pines*).
• Director and Executive Producer: Jonathan van Tulleken (Known for directing episodes of *Shōgun* and *The Power*).
• Series Regular: Martin Bobb-Semple (Role currently undisclosed, known for *The Buccaneers*).
• In Talks for a Role: Legendary actress Sigourney Weaver is reportedly in discussions to join the cast in an undisclosed role.

Production Timeline and Release Window

The development of the series has been a slow-burn, but recent reports confirm a concrete timeline. The live-action *Tomb Raider* series is slated to begin production on January 19, 2026. This means fans should anticipate a potential release date sometime in late 2026 or early 2027 on Amazon Prime Video. The long lead time is typical for high-budget, globe-trotting adventure series that require extensive pre-production, scouting, and complex stunt choreography.

Why a Series and Not a 'Tomb Raider 2' Film?

For years, fans awaited a sequel to the 2018 film starring Alicia Vikander, often referred to as *Tomb Raider 2*. However, that project was officially canceled. The rights to the *Tomb Raider* franchise were acquired by Amazon, which immediately opted for a multi-platform, interconnected universe strategy, similar to the approach taken by Marvel or Star Wars.

The shift to a series format, particularly one helmed by a writer with the narrative depth of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, allows for several key advantages:

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• Deeper Character Exploration: A series provides the necessary runtime to explore the psychological complexity of Lara Croft, delving into her origins, her relationship with her father, Lord Richard Croft, and her evolution from a survivor to the legendary Tomb Raider.
• Expanded World-Building: The show can introduce a wider array of supporting characters, ancient civilizations, and interconnected global mysteries, providing topical authority that a two-hour film simply cannot match. This allows for a richer tapestry of mythology, including artifacts like the Scion, the Dagger of Xian, and the Philosopher's Stone.
• Franchise Interconnectivity: Amazon is reportedly planning a unified *Tomb Raider* universe that connects the Prime Video series with the upcoming new video game from Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games, creating synergy across different media platforms. This is a massive business strategy that a standalone film could not achieve.

The Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sophie Turner Vision: A New Lara Croft

The most compelling aspect of this reboot is the creative direction. Phoebe Waller-Bridge's involvement suggests a version of Lara Croft that retains her adventurous spirit and sharp intellect while potentially injecting her signature blend of dark humor, emotional vulnerability, and sharp dialogue. Her work on *Fleabag* and *Killing Eve* demonstrates a mastery of complex female protagonists who defy easy categorization.

Sophie Turner's casting as Lara Croft is a bold choice, moving away from the more grounded, survivalist tone of the 2013-2018 video game reboot era (which the Vikander film was based on) and potentially closer to the confident, aristocratic adventurer of the classic games. Turner's experience in a massive fantasy epic (*Game of Thrones*) makes her well-suited for a role that demands both physical action and dramatic weight.

While specific plot details remain tightly under wraps, the series is expected to be a high-stakes, globe-trotting adventure. Key entities and themes we expect to see explored include:

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• The Croft Manor: The ancestral home of the Croft family, a central hub for Lara's research and a source of personal history.
• Ancient Artifacts: The pursuit of powerful relics that often fall into the wrong hands, forcing Lara to race against shadowy organizations.
• The Trinity Organization: The omnipresent, militaristic cult-like group that often serves as the primary antagonist in the recent video game trilogy.
• A Global Scale: Expect locations ranging from the jungles of South America and the mountains of the Himalayas to forgotten tombs in the Middle East and the icy plains of Siberia.
• The Dual Pistols: A potential return to Lara's iconic twin pistols, a staple of her classic look, which were largely absent in the recent films and games.

The Extended Lara Croft Universe: More Than Just the Series

The live-action series is not the only new *Tomb Raider* project currently captivating fans. Amazon's strategy is to build a comprehensive multimedia franchise, ensuring the character of Lara Croft remains prominent across all platforms.

The Netflix Animated Series: *Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft* is an animated show that bridges the gap between the reboot video game trilogy (*Tomb Raider*, *Rise of the Tomb Raider*, and *Shadow of the Tomb Raider*). The first season premiered on Netflix in October 2024, and the second and final season premiered in December 2025. This series features the voice of Hayley Atwell as Lara Croft and provides a direct continuation of the video game narrative, offering a different, yet essential, piece of the *Tomb Raider* canon.

The New Video Game: Crystal Dynamics is developing a new, single-player, narrative-driven *Tomb Raider* game using Unreal Engine 5. This game is expected to unify the timelines of the classic and reboot eras, moving Lara past her origin story and into her role as the fully-formed, confident adventurer. The synergy between this new game and the Prime Video series is a key part of Amazon's plan to create a cohesive universe.

In summary, while there is no "new film" in the traditional sense, the *Tomb Raider* franchise is entering its most ambitious era yet. The Prime Video series, with Sophie Turner as Lara Croft and Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the helm, is the definitive next step for the live-action adventurer, promising a richer, longer, and more connected story than any film could offer.