This likely won’t come as a surprise to read, but I am a huge Tomb Raider and Lara Croft fan, and this fandom goes all the way back to when I was about eight years old. I clearly remember playing the original Tomb Raider games at my friend’s house after school on his dad’s computer. Now, admittedly, most of the time I was either running away from various creatures while screaming and clenching my buttocks very tightly, or flexing my skills at Croft Manor rather than actually raiding tombs, but the sense of wonder and fun I felt back then has stayed with me all these years later.
Since those hazy days of after school Tomb Raider, complete with a glass of Sunny D and few yo-yo tricks smattered between turns on the computer, my love for the series has only grown. If there is a Tomb Raider something out there, I will sniff it out like a heat-seeking missile. But while I still enjoyed the most recent rebooted Survivor trilogy – especially the first two, which I have played several times – I did miss that sense of ‘fun’ old school Lara embodied. I missed the confidence, the sass, the unnecessary gymnastic moves. I missed the short shorts and high boots. And god, I missed the dual pistols!
I have to say, though, that I am feeling pretty darn optimistic about the series’ future right now, as we march on into 2026. From everything shown so far from the two upcoming Tomb Raider games – Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst – along with the live-action TV series from Amazon and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it really looks like Lara is about to rediscover her fun. And, I am here for it. The official Tomb Raider website has even updated Lara’s bio for Legacy of Atlantis (which is a from the ground up remake of the first game) and the all-new Catalyst, to reflect this new era of Croftiness.
“Lara Croft is a fearless archaeologist and adventurer, renowned for her relentless pursuit of ancient secrets and artifacts. As the wealthy heiress to the famous Croft family, she enjoys a life of luxury, but her true passion lies in unearthing the mysteries of the past. Her style and wit make her a charismatic figure, whether she’s attending high-society galas or navigating treacherous tombs in search of lost relics,” the site now reads.
“Lara’s adventures often plunge her into an underworld teeming with collectors, raiders, and danger. Her survival skills and expertise with various weapons, including her signature dual pistols, ensures she’s always prepared for any challenge. Balancing elegance and tenacity, Lara’s life is a blend of high-stakes adventure and astounding discoveries. Her legendary status as a Tomb Raider continues to grow, inspiring awe and admiration across the globe.”
This, dear readers, is all music to my ears. Lara in 2026 is daring, worldly, rich, and – I am going to say it – a little bit fierce. This Lara has expertise, she has style (hello shorts) and yes, she has her dual pistols back. What lovely, lovely stuff.
Then, we have Amazon’s live-action show, which started filming earlier this week. Prior to production kicking off, the team shared an image of Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, and I don’t care what the naysayers say, she looks sensational in the role. Turner says she has been in training for the best part of a year, and it shows. She is absolutely ripped (her own words), and has the ideal physique for Lara. She looks not just strong, but agile and lithe as well.
What I love the most about this first look at Turner’s Lara, though, is the outfit. Amazon’s upcoming series is clearly leaning into the classic and slightly camp Lara look from the 90s, with the red glasses, little shorts, tank top, backpack and holsters. This version of Lara is iconic for a reason. I mean, she graced magazine covers, was the face of Lucozade, and she inspired young girls like me to get out there and see the world.
I absolutely adore this version of Lara, so while I did enjoy the Netflix Tomb Raider cartoon series, which took its lead from the more recent Survivor games, well enough, I am feeling much more animated (pun not intended) by Amazon’s live-action offerings after just this one image. Not to mention, its cast is stacked. Jason Isaacs! Sigourney Weaver! Celia Imrie! That is some talent Amazon has scored itself.
Also, I know she has perhaps fallen in favour since Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but I am excited to see what Phoebe Waller-Bridge will do with a live-action Tomb Raider series. The first television project which she created, Crashing, is still one of my favourite shows to date, and if you haven’t seen it I would definitely recommend it. It is laced with plenty of Waller-Bridge’s wicked humour and more than just a touch of innuendo. Meanwhile, Alien legend Sigourney Weaver has already said the Tomb Raider scripts are both charming and witty, and I am so far inclined to trust her on this given Waller-Bridge’s earlier history.
So yep, the year is 2026, and I believe it is the year Lara – much like the Emperor – gets her groove back. You can absolutely count me in!
