Sophie Turner Reveals Chronic Health Issue After Intense Tomb Raider Training

Eight hours a day, five days a week. That's the grueling schedule Sophie Turner maintained for nearly a year to become the next Lara Croft. But the physical transformation for the upcoming Prime Video series led to an unexpected medical discovery for the star.

The Physical Toll of Sophie Turner Tomb Raider Preparation

The 29-year-old actress revealed on 'The Julia Cunningham Show' that her intense preparation for the role of the legendary archaeologist helped her identify a "perpetual back problem." Turner has been training since February 2025, pushing her body to limits she hadn't explored during her years on Game of Thrones.

Turner noted that while her previous role as Sansa Stark involved plenty of action, she was usually the one "getting beat up" rather than fighting back. This time, she's learning to throw punches and build muscle from scratch, a process she admits has taken "months and months" to master.

Nostalgic Roots and a Star-Studded Cast

Amazon MGM recently offered a first look at Turner in character, showcasing a costume heavily inspired by the original 1996 video game. Fans noticed the iconic teal tank top, tiny shorts, and red sunglasses—a departure from the more "grizzled" look of recent game reboots. The show, written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is shaping up to be a faithful tribute to the franchise's origins.

The cast also features Hollywood heavyweight Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis, a mysterious figure looking to exploit Lara's unique skills. Other familiar faces include Lara's butler Winston, played by Bill Paterson, and her tech-savvy friend Zip, portrayed by Martin Bobb-Semple.