Amazon Prime Video has expanded the cast of its upcoming series tomb raider-Live-action series officially approvedIn parallel, it has been confirmed that filming will begin on January 19, 2026, with the series premiere planned for early 2027. This makes the project a central component of Amazon's new series universe centered around Lara Croft.
Close to the original, but with room for interpretation
For fans of the games, the familiar names are particularly relevant. Martin Bobb-Semple takes on the role of Zip, Lara's tech support, a character who was functionally important in the games but never received much attention. Jason Isaacs plays Atlas DeMornay, Lara's uncle, while Bill Paterson returns as Winston, the classic butler who is a staple of the series.
These casting choices demonstrate that Amazon visibly respects the core of the Tomb Raider brand. No radical reinterpretation, but familiar anchor points, at least on paper.
The block of newly invented roles is considerably bolder. Jack Bannon as Lara's personal pilot, Celia Imrie and Juliette Motamed working at the British Museum, several government officials, and even Sasha Luss as a new direct antagonist for Lara.
This can work if these characters serve the story. But it can also backfire if the focus is too heavily on subplots. Series, in particular, tend to lose momentum in favor of character dramas, something that has historically never been a strength of Tomb Raider.
Big names, big expectations
With Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis, Amazon has brought a real heavyweight on board. Her role as an influential power broker suggests that Lara is viewed more as a resource – thematically interesting, but also risky. If Lara only reacts, the character loses her autonomy.
Sophie Turner emphasizes her personal connection to Lara Croft, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge speaks of a mix of fan service and new ideas. That sounds good, but it's standard rhetoric. The crucial question will be how much agency Lara actually gets.
The cast of tomb raiderThe series is high-quality and clearly curated. Amazon seems to have understood that the brand demands respect. Whether it becomes a strong series depends less on the names involved than on the courage to tell a clear, focused story.
