Sophie Turner is no stranger to transformation, but her latest role as Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider television series has pushed her to a whole new level.
The Game of Thrones alum discovered a chronic back issue while training intensively for the action-packed role, proving that even seasoned actors face real-world challenges behind the scenes.
Gruelling Training Reveals Hidden Health Issue
Speaking on The Julia Cunningham Show, Sophie shared just how demanding her preparation has been.
“We’ve been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February last year,” she said.
“It’s been a lot. I found out I have a perpetual back problem, but I also learned that building muscle is easier if you’ve worked out before—even though I hadn’t, so it’s taken months to get into shape.”
From Queen to Fighter: A New Skillset
While fans know Sophie as Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones, she admitted that her time on the HBO series didn’t prepare her for this physically demanding role.
“No, I was the cool queen who didn’t have to do action scenes,” she explained.
“I was the one who got beaten up, not the one doing the beating. So, it’s actually nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it.”
Stepping Into Lara Croft’s Shoes
Sophie takes on the iconic role of Lara Croft, following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander.
The new Tomb Raider series, adapted from the classic video game franchise, is currently in production.
Amazon MGM Studios gave fans their first look at Sophie in character last week, showcasing Lara’s signature style: black shorts, a green tank top, a leather backpack, aviator sunglasses, and a braided ponytail.
A Year of Preparation for an Epic Adventure
The actress revealed to ScreenRant that her training began in February 2025 and has continued for nearly a year.
“I’ve been training for a long time now, and we’re starting shooting in January,” she said.
“I feel prepped, and I feel really lucky to have such a great relationship with Amazon.
I’m excited for the world to see what we do with Lara and Tomb Raider. I think it’s going to be something special.”
Upcoming Projects and Continued Momentum
In addition to her work as Lara Croft, Sophie is also set to star in the highly anticipated drama Steal.
She plays an ordinary office worker unexpectedly caught up in a massive criminal operation.
All six episodes are scheduled to premiere on January 21 on Amazon Prime, further proving that Sophie Turner is embracing a bold new chapter in her career.
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