The Forgotten Voice Behind Lara Croft’s Rise to Fame

Before the world saw Angelina Jolie wielding pistols as Lara Croft or Sophie Turner stepping into the role for a new generation, the character’s journey began in a much quieter way. In 1996, the original Tomb Raider game introduced players to Lara Croft, but it was Shelley Blond who first brought her to life—at least in voice. Blond, a British voice actor, was tasked with giving Lara her distinctive sound, and her approach was shaped by some very specific direction.

During a chat with Alternative Magazine, Blond shared that she was shown just a single sketch of the character and told to channel a young, female version of Bond. The brief was to keep things steady and almost emotionless, which didn’t come naturally to her.

I was directed… and given one drawing of Lara… the same one I had for my taped audition. They told me they wanted her to sound like a young female Bond. Very monotonous without much emotion. That was hard for me as I am naturally very expressive.

Jolie’s Accent: Inspired by the Original Game

Years later, when Angelina Jolie was cast for the big screen adaptation, she didn’t just rely on her own instincts. Jolie reportedly listened to Blond’s original voice work repeatedly while filming, aiming to nail the accent that had become so closely tied to the character. The posh British tone made sense for someone raised in the Croft manor, and Jolie wanted to get it just right.

Blond admitted she hadn’t caught Alicia Vikander’s take on the role, but she did see Jolie’s first outing as Lara.

She was the epitome of Lara in my eyes. Face, body, accent, attitude. She had it all.

Blond added,

My friend who was in the film with her [Angelina Jolie] told me she let him know she had listened to my voice on the game over and over to get the sound right.

Hollywood’s Shifting Approach to Tomb Raider

Jolie’s portrayal left a mark, but after two films, the franchise’s momentum in cinemas faded. The first film, directed by Simon West and starring Jolie alongside Daniel Craig and Iain Glen, hit screens in June 2001. It pulled in a hefty $274 million at the global box office, though critics weren’t exactly won over, with a 21% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a middling 5.8/10 on IMDb. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and is currently available to stream on Kanopy.

Interest in the franchise was reignited with Alicia Vikander’s version, which paved the way for Sophie Turner’s upcoming series. The new adaptation, set to land on Prime Video, has fans curious about how the character will evolve in a longer format.

Why Turner’s Take Could Be a Game Changer

What’s got punters talking about Turner’s upcoming series is the involvement of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creative force behind Fleabag and Killing Eve. With Waller-Bridge writing and producing, expectations are high for a fresh spin on the character. The first promo images have already sparked nostalgia, with many noting a return to the 90s vibe that made Lara Croft iconic in the first place.

There’s also a sense that television might be a better fit for game adaptations than films, as seen with recent successes like The Last of Us and Fallout. A series gives more room for character development and world-building, something that could work in Turner’s favour. She’ll be joined by a strong cast, including Jason Isaacs, Sigourney Weaver, and Bill Paterson, which only adds to the anticipation. The series is tipped to arrive in 2026 or 2027, and fans are already keen to see how it all unfolds.