Sophie Turner, the actress famed for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, has revealed that the gruelling preparation for her upcoming part as Lara Croft exposed a significant, ongoing health issue.
Intense Training Regime Reveals Hidden Issue
In a candid interview on The Julia Cunningham Show, Turner detailed the extreme physical demands of training for the new Amazon Prime Video Tomb Raider series. The actor disclosed that her regimen involved eight hours a day, five days a week of training, a schedule she has maintained since February of last year.
"It's been a lot," Turner admitted. The most surprising discovery during this process, she said, was learning she has a "perpetual back problem." This revelation came as a direct result of the intense physical exertion required to transform into the iconic archaeologist-adventurer.
A Stark Contrast to Sansa Stark
Turner, whose most recognised role remains the eldest Stark daughter in HBO's epic fantasy, highlighted the dramatic shift from her Game of Thrones character. She noted that Sansa was often "the one that got beat up, not the one doing the beating."
"So it's quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it!" she remarked, emphasising the empowering nature of her training for Lara Croft. The actor also confessed she had never seriously worked out before this project, which made building muscle and getting into shape a lengthy challenge taking "months and months."
A New Era for Tomb Raider
Amazon confirmed Turner's casting in September last year. The series is a fresh take on the 2000s films that starred Angelina Jolie. The project is being spearheaded by Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner.
Amazon MGM recently unveiled the first official image of Turner as Croft, confirming production is underway. The photo shows the star in action gear with a gun holstered on her thigh. The series boasts a stellar supporting cast including Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis, Celia Imrie as Francine from the British Museum, and Jason Isaacs as Lara's uncle, Atlas DeMornay.
Waller-Bridge expressed her excitement about the cast, stating: "This cast is beyond my wildest dreams!" Jonathan Van Tulleken is directing and executive producing the highly anticipated series.
