Amazon's 'Tomb Raider' Series Halts Production After Sophie Turner Injury
Production on Amazon MGM Studios' highly anticipated Tomb Raider television series has been temporarily suspended after star Sophie Turner sustained a minor injury, prompting the studio to pause filming as a precautionary measure — a setback for one of the most eagerly awaited streaming productions of 2026.
Amazon MGM Studios confirmed the halt in a statement: "Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury. As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible." The shutdown, which lasted approximately two weeks, did not ultimately affect the overall production schedule, with filming resuming by mid-April 2026. The crew continued to receive payment throughout the pause.
Background
The Tomb Raider series represents one of the most ambitious streaming productions currently in development. The show is an adaptation of the iconic video game franchise, which debuted in 1996 and introduced Lara Croft — archaeologist, adventurer, and one of gaming's most enduring characters — to the world. The franchise was rebooted in 2013 with a grittier, more character-driven approach, and the film rights reverted to the game company after a planned sequel to the 2018 film starring Alicia Vikander was cancelled, triggering a bidding war among studios before Amazon secured the rights.
Sophie Turner, best known for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, was cast as Lara Croft — following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, who previously played the character in film adaptations. The series is created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the BAFTA and Emmy-winning creator of Fleabag, who also serves as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge. Jonathan Van Tulleken is the director and executive producer.
Production began on 15 January 2026, with filming taking place primarily in the United Kingdom. Amazon released a first-look image of Turner as Lara Croft at the start of production, generating considerable excitement. The cast is formidable: alongside Turner, the series features Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Martin Bobb-Semple, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Bill Paterson, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Celia Imrie, and August Wittgenstein.
Key Developments
The nature of Turner's injury was not officially disclosed by the studio, though some reports suggested it may have been an aggravation of a pre-existing back problem. In January 2026, Turner had spoken candidly about the physical demands of preparing for the role, revealing that she had been training "eight hours a day, five days a week" since February 2024. During an appearance on SiriusXM's The Julia Cunningham Show, she disclosed that the intensive regime had revealed "a perpetual back problem" and that building the muscle required for the role had taken "months and months and months."
The production pause was initially reported as potentially lasting up to six months, but those reports were quickly clarified: the actual shutdown lasted approximately two weeks, and sources close to the production confirmed that the overall schedule remained on track. Full details of the production halt were reported by Deadline and confirmed by BBC News.
Why It Matters
The Tomb Raider series is one of the most high-profile productions in Amazon's streaming pipeline, and any disruption to its schedule carries significant commercial implications. The combination of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's creative credentials, Sophie Turner's star power, and the enduring global appeal of the Lara Croft character has generated enormous anticipation for the show. The injury also highlights the physical demands placed on lead actors in action-heavy productions — demands that have become increasingly intense as streaming platforms compete to deliver cinematic-quality spectacle. Turner's candid discussion of her training regime and the physical toll it has taken is a reminder that the glamour of these productions often conceals considerable personal sacrifice. The series does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is expected to be available on Prime Video.
Local Impact
The Tomb Raider series carries particular resonance in the United Kingdom, where it is being filmed and where both Sophie Turner and Phoebe Waller-Bridge are celebrated as major creative talents. In Northern Ireland, where the screen production industry has been transformed by the success of Game of Thrones — in which Turner starred for eight seasons — there is a natural interest in her next major project. Belfast's Titanic Studios and the broader Northern Ireland screen sector have benefited enormously from the UK's reputation as a world-class production destination, and high-profile Amazon productions of this kind reinforce that reputation. Industry observers in the city will be watching the Tomb Raider series closely as a bellwether for the health of the UK's streaming production economy.
What's Next
With filming resumed and the production schedule reportedly intact, attention will now turn to when Amazon will announce a release date for the series. The combination of Waller-Bridge's writing, a stellar ensemble cast, and the global recognition of the Lara Croft brand gives the show considerable commercial potential. For Sophie Turner, the role represents a significant step in her post-Game of Thrones career — a chance to headline a major franchise and demonstrate a range beyond the period drama that made her famous. The question of whether the series can live up to the considerable expectations that have been built around it will only be answered when it finally reaches screens.
