Sophie Turner to play Lara Croft in Tomb Raider series

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner will play Lara Croft in the upcoming Prime Video TV series Tomb Raider, it was announced on Thursday.

The show has been created and written by fellow Brit, Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge - marking the first major work to come out of her big Amazon deal announced back in 2019.

Tomb Raider is based on the computer game about the famous fictional adventurer and archaeologist Lara Croft, previously portrayed on the big screen by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander.

Turner said she was "thrilled beyond measure" to take on the role. "She's such an iconic character, who means so much to so many - and I am giving everything I've got."

The star, who shot to fame as Sansa Stark in the HBO fantasy epic before appearing as Jean Grey in the X-Men film series, added: "They're massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances, but with Phoebe at the helm, we (and Lara) are all in very safe hands.

"I can't wait for you all to see what we have cooking."

She recently told Flaunt she now wanted to do projects that are "super unique and very niche".

Waller-Bridge previously adapted the first series of Killing Eve and was drafted on to the James Bond writing team, saying at the time she added "little spices", and "tweaks across a few of the characters".

She said six years ago she was "delighted" and "insanely excited" to be making Amazon her creative home.

Now she said she is excited to work with the "formidable" Turner on Tomb Raider and a "phenomenal creative team" which includes fellow co-showrunner Chad Hodge (Wayward Pines and Good Behavior) and director Jonathan Van Tulleken (Shōgun and The Changeling).

"It's not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving," she added.

"Everyone on board is wildly passionate about Lara and are all as outrageous, brave, and hilarious as she is.

"Get your artifacts out... Croft is coming."

Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, described the character - created in 1996 by a team at British developer Core Design - as "one of the most recognisable and iconic video game characters of all time".

Amazon MGM Studios confirmed the production would start in January next year.