Hold onto your ancient artifacts, Croft fans! We've just received our first substantial intel drop from the set of Amazon's upcoming Tomb Raider TV series, and it's got us feeling incredibly optimistic. New set photos are giving us a real taste of what's to come, unveiling key characters and some intriguing new gear.
Key Takeaways
- First on-set photos reveal Sophie Turner as Lara Croft and Martin Bobb-Semple as Zip.
- Lara spotted with a new, mysterious dagger and a retractable pickaxe, hinting at combat sequences.
- Zip's role expands beyond comms; he's on-location, actively picking Lara up on a motorcycle.
- Filming locations include Surrey woods, featuring night scenes and "dramatic knife fight scenes."
- Key cast confirmed: Jason Isaacs (Uncle Atlas), Bill Paterson (Winston).
- Former Lara Croft voice actress Keeley Hawes potentially playing Lara's mother, Amelia.
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge spearheading the project as creator, writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner.
On-Set Reveal: Zip Joins the Action, Lara Gears Up
Our initial intel from the set photos confirms Martin Bobb-Semple stepping into the shoes of Zip, Lara’s resident tech guru. Crucially, it looks like Zip isn't just a voice in an earpiece this time around. He’s out of the comms room and right into the thick of it, seen picking Lara up on a motorcycle. As veteran gamers, we've always seen Zip as the invaluable remote support, so this on-site presence is a significant departure and frankly, a welcome one that promises more dynamic character interactions. While we might have chosen slightly different gear for a night ride through rain-soaked woods, Bobb-Semple's look is undeniably sharp. And yes, while our preference would have been Lara on the front, seeing motorbikes integrated into the action is a win in our book.
Lara's New Kit: Daggers and Pickaxes
Sophie Turner's Lara Croft is also front and center, armed with some intriguing new kit. The "mysterious dagger" is a major talking point. With reports from the Daily Mail confirming "dramatic knife fight scenes" filmed during the shoot, we're already theorizing if this is a newly acquired artifact or a standard piece of her loadout. The shift from the earlier daytime parachute scenes in the same Surrey woods to these intense night sequences, with Lara sporting new gloves, strongly suggests an evolving mission, possibly an artifact hunt under the cover of darkness.
And let's not overlook the retractable pickaxe. A familiar friend for fans of the Netflix animated series, if our memory serves. This tool’s inclusion hints at the classic traversal and puzzle-solving elements that are core to the Tomb Raider experience, suggesting they won't be forgotten in this live-action adaptation.
Powerhouse Crew and All-Star Cast
Beyond the on-screen action, the roster behind this adaptation is shaping up impressively. We already knew about the formidable talents joining Turner and Bobb-Semple, including Jason Isaacs as Lara's Uncle Atlas and Bill Paterson as Winston – two iconic figures we’re eager to see brought to life. The sighting of former Lara Croft voice actress Keeley Hawes on set has us speculating wildly, with many in our circles confidently predicting her role as Lara's mother, Amelia. If true, that’s a deep cut of fan service that could add incredible emotional weight.
But perhaps the most intriguing piece of the puzzle is Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the helm, serving as creator, writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner. Her declaration that "It's not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving" resonates deeply with us. Knowing that a creative visionary of her caliber, with a clear passion for Lara, is steering the ship gives us tremendous confidence. Her insight that "Everyone on board is wildly passionate about Lara and are all as outrageous, brave, and hilarious as she is" speaks volumes about the tone and authenticity we can expect.
Our Take: An Optimistic Outlook
Overall, we're feeling a strong sense of optimism about this adaptation. The blend of classic elements, modern twists, an engaged cast, and a truly passionate showrunner suggests Amazon is not just making a show, but crafting a love letter to one of gaming's most enduring icons. "Get your artifacts out... Croft is coming..." indeed. We're ready.