Netflix has unveiled the teaser trailer for its new animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, set to premiere on 10 October. The series stars Hayley Atwell as the voice of the iconic adventurer Lara Croft and promises a thrilling mix of action, from high-speed car chases and perilous leaps to a dramatic plunge into the ocean.
The show continues the narrative after the Survivor video game trilogy, which includes 2013’s Tomb Raider, 2015’s Rise of the Tomb Raider, and 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The full official description is as follows:
“Following the events of the Survivor series, Lara Croft has abandoned her friends to embark on increasingly more perilous solo adventures. But she must return home when a dangerous and powerful Chinese artifact is stolen from Croft Manor by a thief with an uncanny personal connection. Her daring pursuit will take her on an adventure around the world and to the depths of forgotten tombs, where she will be forced to confront her true self, and decide just what kind of hero she wants to become.”
Joining Atwell, Earl Baylon reprises his role as Jonah from the video game series. Tasha Huo, known for her work on the upcoming Red Sonja and Naruto movie adaptations, serves as the showrunner and writer, bringing a fresh narrative approach to the Tomb Raider saga.
The animation for the series is handled by Powerhouse Animation, the studio behind other successful Netflix series such as Castlevania, Masters of the Universe, and the MonsterVerse spin-off Skull Island.
The trailer, while action-packed, reveals little of Atwell’s Lara beyond brief exclamations. Instead, it focuses on creating a tense atmosphere with snippets of dialogue from both foes and allies that challenge Lara’s life choices, hinting at internal and external conflicts. Comments from the series’ antagonist and a chorus of critical voices add to the oppressive tone, suggesting that Lara’s journey will be about more than just physical challenges; it will be a profound personal battle to define her identity beyond the controversies that have historically surrounded the character.
Despite facing criticism for being both a male fantasy figure and a problematic figure in terms of cultural representation, Lara Croft remains a beloved figure in adventure and gaming. The new Netflix series appears set to delve deep into these complex themes, challenging Lara to reconcile her adventurous spirit with the moral ambiguities of her actions.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is set to premiere on 10 October on Netflix.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Kevin Low
