Sophie Turner Opens Up About Health Problem Discovered During ‘Tomb Raider’ Training

Sophie Turner is preparing to step into the role of Lara Croft, but the training for the part came with an unexpected discovery. According to comments she made on The Julia Cunningham Show, the 29-year-old actress learned she has a chronic back problem while training for the upcoming Tomb Raider TV series.

Sophie explained that the physical preparation for the role has been intense and very demanding. “We’ve been doing eight hours a day, five days a week since February of last year, of training,” she said during the interview.

“Yeah, so it’s been a lot,” she added. While pushing her body during months of workouts, Sophie noticed an ongoing issue.

She shared that she has “a perpetual back problem” that became clear during training. Still, she said the process taught her a lot about her body and fitness.

She also admitted that she didn’t have much experience working out before landing the role. “I also realized that it’s much easier to kind of build muscle if you’ve never worked out before in your life, which I never had,” she said.

“So, it’s taken me months and months and months to get into good shape,” the actress continued. Julia Cunningham pointed out that this might surprise fans, since Sophie is widely known for playing Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones.

Sophie was quick to clarify her role on the hit HBO series, which was known for its battles and action scenes. “I also just was the one that got beat up, not the one doing the beating,” she said.

“So it’s quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it!” she joked. The new Tomb Raider series is being developed by Amazon MGM, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge leading the project.

The show is inspired by the early Tomb Raider video games, which first launched in 1996 and made Lara Croft an icon. Amazon MGM recently released a first look at Sophie in costume as the legendary adventurer.

Her outfit includes classic elements from the original games, such as red sunglasses, a teal tank top, and short shorts. She also sports pistol holsters and a leather backpack, capturing the spirit of the character’s first appearance.

Plot details are still mostly under wraps, but a cast announcement shared by Prime Video revealed some clues. Sigourney Weaver will play a new character named Evelyn Wallis, described as “a mysterious, high-flying woman who is keen to exploit Lara’s talents.” Other characters from the games will also appear, including Winston the butler, played by Bill Paterson. Jason Isaacs will portray Lara’s uncle Atlas DeMornay, and her tech-savvy friend Zip will be played by Martin Bobb-Semple.

Sophie’s role marks the third major live-action version of Lara Croft following Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. Even with the tough training and health challenges, Sophie appears fully committed to the role.

Beyond her training for the jungle, Turner has a major film reunion on the horizon. She is set to star alongside her former Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington in the gothic horror movie The Dreadful.

The film, which released its first trailer on January 15, features Sophie as Anne, a woman living in solitude on the outskirts of a medieval town. The Dreadful is scheduled to hit theaters and digital platforms on February 20.

Turner also recently starred in the ITV crime drama Joan, where she played the real-life 1980s jewel thief Joan Hannington. The actress has been balancing this busy professional schedule with her personal life as a mother of two daughters.

She recently reflected on her career “momentum” during an interview with The Guardian, noting how nice it was to focus on home life before rebuilding her rhythm. With the Tomb Raider series officially beginning production on January 19, 2026, Turner is once again at the center of a massive franchise.

What do you think of Sophie Turner’s classic Lara Croft look in the comments?