Summary
A staple in pop culture for just shy of 30 years, theTomb Raiderfranchise has gone through many iterations. While the series' protagonist, British archaeologist and hardened survivor Lara Croft, maintains similar traits across all the franchise’s games, novels, comics, and movies, there’s no denying that every Lara Croft is a different spin on the character. Released in 1996, the originalTomb Raidervideo game was so successful that it prompted its then-developer to churn out annual releases through 2003. Unsurprisingly,Hollywood capitalized onTomb Raider’s popularity bycasting Angelina Jolie as the live-action Lara Croft.
Two decades after Jolie’s take on Lara Croft stormed the box office, the treasure-hunting protagonist is still being reinvented.The 2013 game,Tomb Raider, rebooted Croft’s origin story.Soon enough, it became the best-selling entry in the long-running video game series and spawned two video game sequels,Rise of the Tomb Raider(2015) andShadow of the Tomb Raider(2018). Now, Netflix’s animated action-adventure series,Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, is offering yet another version of the iconic titular character — complete with a brand-new voice actor.
Hayley Atwell Voices Lara Croft In Netflix’s Animated Tomb Raider Show
Atwell Takes Over From Lara Croft’s Video Game Voice Actor Camilla Luddington
In the wake of theTomb Raidervideo game reboot’s success,Netflix ordered an anime-inspired series based on the enduringTomb Raiderfranchise. At the time, the third installment in Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics' Survivor trilogy had capped off the bestselling saga, while the Alicia Vikander-starringTomb Raider(2018) garnered an impressive $274.7 million at the box office, despite harsh reviews. For Netflix, Croft felt like a winning bet. To make matters even more exciting, the streamer-turned-television-producer announced thatHayley Atwell will voice Lara CroftinTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft.
Hayley Atwell is an accomplished BBC Radio performer, making her a great fit for a leading voice role.
Best known for playing special agent Peggy Carter inMarvel’s Agent Carterand the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU)Captain Americanfilms,Atwell has also starred in other action-forward fare, includingMission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Having appeared in an early season ofBlack Mirror, Atwell is also set to appear inHeartstopperseason 3— another hugely successful Netflix series. In addition to voicing Peggy Carter in multiple MCU projects, Hayley Atwell is an accomplished BBC Radio performer, making her a great fit to helm an animated series.
8 Lessons Tomb Raider’s Reboot Can Learn From Both Previous Failed Franchises
There have been two failed attempts to establish a Tomb Raider movie franchise, so Amazon’s upcoming reboot faces a few familiar challenges.
Hayley Atwell’s Lara Croft Is Older Than Vikander’s (But Younger Than Jolie’s)
Netflix’s Lara Croft Isn’t A Newcomer Or A Fully Seasoned Vet
Netflix’s animatedTomb Raiderseries is sandwiched between the events of the Survivor trilogy and the original saga of games that were released from 1996 to 2003. Various timelines aside,Lara Croft’s age in each of the installments suggests thatThe Legend of Lara Crofttakes place after the reboot trilogybut before the original games. Since 2018’sTomb Raidermovie starring Vikander was an origin story inspired by 2013’sTomb Raider, Atwell’s Croft is older than Vikander’s. However, the early 2000s Angelina Jolie-starring flicks, which echoTomb Raider’s classic gamesand comics, feature a slightly older Lara Croft.
Why Tomb Raider’s Shared Universe Is A Terrible Idea
Amazon has plans to develop a shared universe centered on the Tomb Raider franchise, but can it succeed? Here’s why this idea just doesn’t work.
Hayley Atwell’s Lara Croft Is The Same One From The Survivor Trilogy
The Legend Of Lara Croft Continues The 2013 Tomb Raider Reboot Saga’s Story
While Vikander’s Lara Croft was inspired by the Survivor trilogy, it’s still a unique origin story. Meanwhile, Jolie’s protagonist, who’s most loosely based on the comics from around the early 2000s, is also distinct from any video game counterpart. That’s where Netflix’s adaptation differs.The Lara Croft of the Survivor trilogy is virtually the same characterwho will be leadingTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Set in the Survivor trilogy’s rebootedTomb Raidercontinuity, the Netflix series will bridge a significant gap in theTomb Raidertimeline.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croftis scheduled to premiere on Netflix on July 15, 2025.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
This animated series follows the iconic tomb-raider Lara Croft as she embarks on thrilling adventures, exploring ancient civilizations and uncovering hidden secrets. Balancing intellect and physical prowess, Lara navigates treacherous environments and encounters formidable adversaries, all while striving to protect the world’s archaeological treasures.
