Game of Thrones star ‘lands biggest video game role’ in TV reboot

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner is ‘in talks’ to star as action hero Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider TV series.

The actress, 28, made her acting debut in HBO’s epic fantasy series, playing Sansa Stark across all eight seasons between 2011 until 2019.

She’s also played young Jean Grey/ Phoenix in the X-Men film series and recently starred in the British crime drama Joan.

However, Sophie now looks set to take on another formidable female character, the highly intelligent and athletic British archaeologist who ventures into ancient tombs and hazardous ruins around the world.

It’s a role that was previously played by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander on the big screen.

Last year it was first reported that Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was set to write a TV show adaptation of the video game franchise for Amazon.

Now, it’s been revealed Sophie could be taking the lead role, with Deadline saying she was ‘in negotiations’ to star.

When the series was officially announced in May, Amazon MGM head Jennifer Salke called it ‘epic’ and ‘globe-trotting’.

Meanwhile Phoebe shared: ‘Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all.’

The original Tomb Raider video game, which was released in 1996, sparked several adaptations, with Angelina starring as Lara in two movies in 2001 and 2003.

Alicia then starred in a 2018 remake, while Camilla Luddington, Keeley Hawes and Minnie Driver have played her in video games. Hayley Atwell also voiced the character in a Netflix anime series.

Amazon is rumoured to have purchased the rights to the video game series for $600m ($473 million).

The new Tomb Raider series is also part of Phoebe’s $20 (£15) million a year deal with Amazon that she signed in 2019.