Tomb Raider Voice Star Joins Prime Video's New Series — Is She Playing Lara Croft's Mother?
Keeley Hawes has been spotted on the set of the upcoming Tomb Raider TV series, stoking speculation the former voice of Lara Croft could now be stepping in front of the camera.
File this under unexpectedly perfect casting: Keeley Hawes, the voice of Lara Croft from the mid-2000s games, has been spotted on the set of Amazon's new Tomb Raider series in a role that looks very familiar to longtime fans.
Keeley Hawes shows up on set... as Lara's mom?
Leaked set photos published by The Sun show Hawes in a trenchcoat and boots, flanked by a bunch of masked figures. Nothing is confirmed, but the chatter is that she might be playing Lady Amelia Croft, the Countess of Abbingdon — aka Lara's mother. If that pans out, it's a clean full-circle moment: the woman who once voiced Lara now potentially playing the woman who raised her. Very on-the-nose, in a good way.
Why this is a big nod for fans
Hawes first took over as Lara in 2006's Tomb Raider: Legend — yes, 20 years ago — and kept the role through a run of games. If you lived through that era, you know the voice.
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary
- Tomb Raider: Underworld
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
- Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
So what is this new show, exactly?
Sophie Turner is stepping into Lara's boots for Amazon's live-action series, following the big-screen versions from Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander. The supporting cast is stacked with Sigourney Weaver, Celia Imrie, and Jason Isaacs. No release date yet — Amazon is keeping that part locked up for now.
Turner's take on Lara
Turner has already set expectations for her version of the character: less pin-up, more person.
"It is about her and her story and what drives her, rather than what so many people also love about her, which is how hot she is in the games and the movies."
In other words, do not expect a 'sex bombshell' angle this time around.
Between the Hawes cameo-that-might-be and the cast lineup, this one is shaping up to be more than just another game adaptation. Whenever Amazon finally drops a date, I will be there with snacks and entirely too many opinions.