Sophie Turner in talks to play Lara Croft in Amazon's 'Tomb Raider' series

By: Shawn
Sophie Turner is closing in on the much sought-after role of British archaeologist Lara Croft in Amazon MGM Studios and Crystal Dynamics' adaptation of the adventure video game Tomb Raider.

Sophie Turner.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is writing and executive producing the live-action series, which earned a series order in the spring and will air on Amazon Prime Video. Turner, well known for her role as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, is in discussions to take on the lead role, which was previously played by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander in feature film versions of the video game franchise.

In October, numerous British actresses, including Turner, participated in auditions for the role. Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven) was the only American to make the shortlist. According to accounts, Emma Mackey (Sex Education) and Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) both auditioned for the part.

Amazon declined to respond.

The series is executive produced by Waller-Bridge, her Wells Street Productions partner Jenny Robbins, Dmitri M. Johnson of dj2 Entertainment, Michael Scheel, and Legendary Television. Ryan Andolina, former head of comedy and drama at Amazon, and Amanda Greenblatt, former president of overall deals, are consulting producers under the Star Party label.

"If I could tell my teenage self that this was happening, I think she'd explode," Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) remarked when the series was revealed in May. "Tomb Raider has been a significant part of my life, and I feel extremely grateful to be bringing it to television with such enthusiastic partners. Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many others, and I'm excited to go on this adventure. "Bats'n all."

Amazon is spending big on Tomb Raider, creating a film and a video game as part of a large rights agreement with Johnson's dj2 that aims to merge many forms and channels into a single linked tale. Waller-Bridge is now just participating in the television program.

Turner's roles after Game of Thrones include Max's short series The Staircase, the Netflix feature Do Revenge, and the ITV/CW drama Joan. She also stars in Prime Video's upcoming thriller Haven. Turner is represented by CAA, Independent Talent, and Hansen Jacobson.

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