Production on Amazon Prime Video’s highly anticipated Tomb Raider series has been temporarily halted after star Sophie Turner sustained an injury on set. The Game of Thrones alum, who steps into the iconic role of Lara Croft, is expected to recover within two weeks, but the pause has raised questions about the physical toll of playing one of gaming’s most demanding characters.
Amazon MGM Studios confirmed the news in a statement released on March 29. “Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury,” the studio said. “As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible”. While the studio did not specify whether the injury occurred on set or off, sources indicate the shutdown is expected to last approximately two weeks, with crew members continuing to be paid during the break.
Turner’s injury appears to be linked to the physically grueling demands of the role. The actress had been undergoing an intense training regimen for months leading up to production, which began in January 2026. She previously revealed on The Julia Cunningham Show that she discovered a pre-existing back condition during preparation. “We’ve been doing eight hours a day, five days a week, since February last year of training, so it’s been a lot,” she said. Turner admitted she had never worked out before, adding, “It has taken me months and months and months to get into good shape” .
An insider close to the production told The US Sun that Turner “has been throwing herself into the role, but the grueling physicality of being Lara Croft has meant she has pushed her body too far”. The pre-existing back issue reportedly worsened as filming progressed, leading to the current pause.
The Tomb Raider series is one of Amazon’s most ambitious projects, with Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge serving as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner . Turner joins an impressive cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Celia Imrie, and Bill Paterson.
Turner, who shot to fame as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, becomes the third actor to portray Lara Croft in a live-action adaptation, following Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander . She expressed her excitement about the role in a statement: “I’ve been a long-time fan of Tomb Raider and the character of Lara. They’re massive shoes to fill, following in the steps of Angelina and Alicia with their powerhouse performances”.
With production expected to resume within weeks, the delay is unlikely to significantly impact the series’ release timeline, though a premiere date has not yet been announced . For now, Turner is resting and recovering. The incident serves as a reminder of the physical demands placed on actors taking on action-heavy roles, and the fine line between dedication and pushing the body too far.
