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Star-Studded Tomb Raider Live-Action Series Adds Jason Isaacs
The upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series has just grown even more high-profile with the addition of Jason Isaacs to a cast already led by Sophie Turner and reportedly including Sigourney Weaver. Isaacs—known for memorable turns in the Harry Potter films and The Patriot, and recently praised for his Emmy-nominated work on The White Lotus—joins a reboot that promises a fresh, 1990s-tinged take on Lara Croft.
Who’s In and What We Know
Sophie Turner is confirmed to play Lara Croft, stepping into one of gaming and action cinema’s most recognizable roles. Reports also list Martin Bobb-Semple in an undisclosed part and suggest Sigourney Weaver may appear as a possible antagonist. Jason Isaacs’s exact role is not yet public, but his casting signals the producers’ intent to mix blockbuster familiarity with strong dramatic chops.
The series was first announced in January 2023 with Phoebe Waller-Bridge attached as creator, writer, and executive producer—an intriguing creative choice given her track record for character-driven, darkly comic drama. Chad Hodge is on board as showrunner and executive producer, while Jonathan van Tulleken will direct and executive produce. Production is scheduled to begin on January 19, and the show will frame Lara Croft as an experienced adventurer and archaeologist, embracing a distinct 1990s atmosphere.
Context and Comparisons
This adaptation arrives amid a broader trend of revisiting 1990s franchises for modern streaming audiences. Unlike the Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander film adaptations, which leaned heavily into blockbuster action and cinematic reinvention, this series appears poised to explore Croft’s archaeology and grit over multiple episodes—more in line with recent serialized reboots that deepen character backstory.
Trivia: Lara Croft first appeared in 1996 and quickly became a 90s pop-culture icon. Bringing a 90s tone back to the story could resonate with longtime fans while giving new viewers a nostalgic texture.
What to Expect
With Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s creative influence and a cast mixing genre veterans and dramatic performers, expect character focus, sharper dialogue, and a balance of adventure and psychological stakes. Fans of serialized adaptations like Netflix’s The Witcher or Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may find the pacing and world-building similarly ambitious.
This casting surge makes the Tomb Raider series one of the most anticipated TV projects for fans of action-adventure and video game adaptations. Keep an eye out for official role announcements and trailers as filming progresses.
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