Sophie Turner’s Steal Performance Proves Tomb Raider Casting

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I remember when Sophie Turner was announced as the new Lara Croft! Honestly, the reaction online was pretty divided. Everyone knows her from Game of Thrones as Sansa Stark and as Jean Grey in the X-Men movies, so it was a big change for a lot of people. Even when they showed a first glimpse of her in costume, created with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s involvement, a lot of fans still weren’t convinced she was right for the role. It felt like many thought she just didn’t quite fit the part.

Just days after a first look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft was revealed, her new series, Steal, premiered on Prime Video. This fast-paced thriller features Turner as Zara Dunne, an office worker who unexpectedly gets caught in the middle of a bank robbery. What starts as a simple heist quickly escalates into a complex situation involving the police, MI5, and the criminals. While Steal might not seem like typical preparation for playing Lara Croft, Turner’s performance actually demonstrated a range of skills that arguably make her a perfect choice for the iconic role.

Before Steal, Lead Roles Were Few and Far Between for Sophie Turner

Before landing the lead role in Steal, Anya Turner hadn’t had many opportunities to be the star. She was a valuable team player in X-Men and delivered solid supporting performances in The Staircase. She played Joan Hannington in a lesser-known film of the same name. While neither film was particularly memorable, Joan at least allowed her to showcase her versatility with accents and disguises.

When Sophie Turner landed the role in Steal, she was eager to prove her skills as an actress. This was especially true because she had faced a lot of online criticism and negativity about her acting beforehand. She’d actually gotten the part of Sansa at just 14 years old, with no prior professional acting experience, and later told The Guardian that she essentially learned the craft while working on the show.

Looking back, those eight years felt incredibly exposed. It was like learning my craft completely in public, which wasn’t easy, to say the least. I often think about it like this: imagine trying to learn to sing, but every single lesson was filmed and shown to everyone! Honestly, it left me feeling like a fake a lot of the time.

Turner’s Tough-Yet-Vulnerable Turn in Steal Is Her Greatest Performance Yet

With her performance in Steal, Turner is likely to silence any doubts about her acting ability. She’s truly excellent in the show, skillfully portraying a character who is both strong and fragile. Turner perfectly captures the fear and anxiety of Dunne, a young woman suddenly facing a dangerous situation.

Despite her delicate appearance, she’s resourceful and quick-thinking, able to cleverly escape difficult situations. Turner portrays this hidden strength convincingly, constantly surprising viewers. The role is also physically demanding, requiring her to run from gunfire and fight, and she handles these action scenes with skill and confidence.

This is undoubtedly her best performance to date, and it firmly establishes her as a leading actress. What truly stands out is Dunne’s ability to subtly change her portrayal depending on who she’s with or when she’s by herself.

Around her co-workers, who are unaware of the crime, she’s outgoing, funny, and well-liked, but it’s all a facade. When she’s with people who truly know her, she can let her guard down and be herself. However, with her mother, she displays a lot of anger and hurt, and their relationship is filled with conflict and sadness.

Adding to all this, her friendship with Luke, played by Archie Madekwe, is especially interesting – it’s clear he might have hidden reasons for getting her involved, and Turner skillfully portrays the complex mix of confidence, pain, and deceit she feels because of him. Finally, her on-again, off-again relationship with Detective Rhys Covaci (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) feels incredibly genuine. They’re both damaged individuals who offer each other a chance at healing, making their connection feel real rather than idealized.

Anyone Unconvinced About Turner’s Prospects As Lara Croft Should Watch Steal

Ultimately, Steal could be a well-timed project for both Turner and Waller-Bridge. Although production started in January 2026 and won’t likely premiere until 2027, the show represents a significant financial gamble for Prime Video and Waller-Bridge. Early responses to Turner’s casting and initial costume tests were reportedly not as positive as they’d anticipated.

It’s frustrating to see the negativity about Sophie Turner’s acting pop up again online. Honestly, I think a lot of it stems from people being upset with the choices her character, Sansa, made in the show, rather than any real issue with Turner’s performance itself. It’s a shame, because I don’t think the criticism is fair.

The timing couldn’t have been better for the debut of a captivating show where Turner finally demonstrated her acting talent – and hinted at the potential for true greatness. While it wasn’t immediately obvious, the show Steal actually highlighted many of the skills Turner will need when she plays Croft. She’ll need to bring that star power and commanding physical presence, along with a strong will and a knack for delivering witty lines.

She’s trained hard for the role, and while some fans might be upset that this version of the character is portrayed as more overtly sensual than in past games or the early Angelina Jolie films, she’ll definitely look the part. Ultimately, how she plays the character will be up to her, and we think anyone who’s still skeptical will be impressed after seeing her in Steal.

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2026-02-13 23:07