Key Takeaways
- Sophie Turner discovered a long-term back issue while training for Tomb Raider
- The role required intense physical preparation for nearly a year
- Turner had little fitness experience before taking on Lara Croft
- The new Amazon Prime Video series is currently in production
Sophie Turner Says Tomb Raider Training Uncovered a Health Problem
Sophie Turner is opening up about the physical toll of preparing to play Lara Croft — and how the demanding training revealed an unexpected health issue.
In a new interview, the Game of Thrones star shared that while training for Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series, she discovered she has what she described as a “perpetual back problem.”
“Eight Hours a Day”: Inside Sophie Turner’s Tomb Raider Training
Speaking on The Julia Cunningham Show, Turner detailed the intense physical preparation required for the iconic action role.
“We’ve been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February of last year,” Turner said. “So it’s been a lot.”
The training regimen lasted nearly a full year and included strength conditioning, combat choreography, and endurance work — a significant challenge for Turner, who admitted she had little prior experience with structured workouts.
“I’d Never Worked Out Before”
One of the biggest surprises for Turner wasn’t just the physical strain — it was how difficult it was to build muscle from scratch.
“I realised that it’s much easier to build muscle if you’ve worked out before in your life, which I never had,” she said.
“It’s taken me months and months and months to get into good shape.”
During this process, Turner learned she has an ongoing back issue, something she now manages alongside the physical demands of the role.
A Major Shift From Sansa Stark
Turner is best known for portraying Sansa Stark on HBO’s Game of Thrones, a character whose journey involved survival rather than physical dominance.
Reflecting on the difference, Turner noted that Lara Croft represents a dramatic shift.
“I was always the one that got beat up, not the one doing the beating,” she said of Sansa.
“So it’s quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it.”
First Look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft
Amazon MGM Studios confirmed Turner’s casting in September and recently released the first official image from the series.
The image shows Turner in action-ready gear — combat shorts, a fitted vest, and a weapon holstered at her thigh — signaling a more physically grounded and intense take on the legendary video game character.
The series is a reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, previously portrayed on screen by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The Tomb Raider series is being led by Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner.
The cast includes:
- Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis, a powerful figure seeking to exploit Lara’s abilities
- Celia Imrie as Francine, head of advancement at the British Museum
- Jason Isaacs as Lara’s uncle, Atlas DeMornay
Director Jonathan Van Tulleken is also attached as executive producer.
Waller-Bridge praised the ensemble, calling the cast “beyond my wildest dreams.”
What’s Next for the Tomb Raider Series
Production on the Amazon Prime Video drama is officially underway, with the series set to reintroduce Lara Croft to a new generation of fans.
For Turner, the role marks a physically demanding — and transformative — chapter in her career, proving that stepping into an iconic action role can come with unexpected challenges behind the scenes.
For more entertainment news, casting updates, and industry insights, stay tuned to Project Casting.
