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Sophie Turner suffered a minor back injury while filming the highly anticipated Tomb Raider series, forcing Amazon MGM Studios to briefly pause production. The Game of Thrones star, who plays Lara Croft, is expected to return to set in approximately two weeks as she recovers from the setback.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Injury Status: Minor back injury affecting production on March 29, 2026
- Production Value: £100 million Amazon Prime Video series
- Expected Timeline: Turner likely to return within two weeks, crew continues prep work
- Filming Location: Shepperton Studios in Surrey, United Kingdom
Game of Thrones Star Takes Lara Croft Role Seriously
Sophie Turner began an intensive eight-hour-a-day training routine starting in February 2025 to prepare for the physically demanding role. The 30-year-old actress previously disclosed that she learned about a perpetual back problem during this grueling preparation phase. On SiriusXM’s Julia Cunningham Show, Turner explained that the extensive workload challenged her physically in unprecedented ways.
“I’ve learned I have a perpetual back problem,” she stated, noting that five days a week of intense training revealed vulnerabilities she never knew existed. Turner emphasized that building muscle as someone who had never seriously worked out before required months and months of dedication and adaptation.
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Pre-Existing Condition Worsened by Set Demands
According to Page Six and The Sun, Turner’s aggravated injury stemmed from a pre-existing back condition that progressively worsened through long hours on set since filming commenced in January 2026. Insiders revealed that the gruelling physicality of portraying the legendary archaeologist and adventurer pushed her body beyond its limits during active production.
One source told The Sun: “Sophie has been throwing herself into the role, but the gruelling physicality of being Lara Croft has meant she has pushed her body too far.” The production team decided that rest and recovery were essential to protect their star from long-term injury complications.
Amazon MGM Studios Pauses Ambitious Project
| Detail | Information |
| Project Title | Tomb Raider Live-Action Series |
| Star | Sophie Turner as Lara Croft |
| Creator | Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) |
| Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
| Production Budget | £100 million |
Amazon MGM Studios issued an official statement: “Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury. As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible.” The prudent decision prioritizes both Turner’s health and the multi-million-pound production schedule.
“Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury. As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible.”
— Amazon MGM Studios, Official Statement
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Leads Production Team Forward
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who created the wildly successful television series Fleabag, serves as the creative force behind this ambitious video game adaptation. The Emmy-winning creator told producers in September 2025 that she was incredibly excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner for this landmark role.
The supporting cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Bill Paterson, and Celia Imrie, representing a phenomenal creative team. Waller-Bridge previously emphasized that landing a character she grew up loving made the project deeply personal and meaningful.
Will This Setback Impact the Legacy Franchise?
The Lara Croft character has captivated audiences since the original 1996 video game launch, with prior film adaptations starring Angelina Jolie in 2001 and 2003, then later Alicia Vikander in 2018. This marks the first official live-action television series dedicated to the iconic archaeologist and adventurer.
Industry insiders remain optimistic that the brief production pause will not derail the ambitious timeline. Most of the challenging material has already been filmed, positioning the project favorably despite the temporary setback. The crew will remain engaged in preparation and preproduction work while Turner focuses on recovery, ensuring momentum continues.
Sources
- Entertainment Weekly – Official statement from Amazon MGM Studios regarding Sophie Turner’s injury and production pause
- Page Six – Insider reports confirming Turner’s pre-existing back condition and expected recovery timeline
- Daily Mail – Production details and industry impact assessment of the £100 million Amazon Prime project
