Lara Croft is one of the most famous video game characters, standing alongside legends like Mario, Master Chief, Sonic, and Link. She has been a central figure in video games since her debut in 1996.
Lara is a bold, adventurous archaeologist who has traveled the world in search of ancient artifacts and lost civilizations. Her role as the lead in the Tomb Raider franchise has kept her in the spotlight for nearly three decades, and her character has only become more iconic with time.
The Tomb Raider series took a fresh turn in 2013 with a reboot, simply titled Tomb Raider, which shows Lara’s early days and beginnings.
This reboot was well-received for its new take on her story, showing her growth as a character. Two sequels followed, Rise of the Tomb Raider in 2015 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018, and together these games formed what is now known as the “Survivor Trilogy.”
After the 2018 game, the Tomb Raider series took a break from video games. But the story didn’t stop there. A new video game is currently in development, and a live-action series, led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Amazon, is also on the way.
Fans were also excited to hear about the announcement of an animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, which was first introduced in 2021. This new series, voiced by actress Hayley Atwell, continues Lara’s journey from where the Survivor Trilogy left off. It offers fans an opportunity to stay connected to the character they love while awaiting future games.
What Is ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’ About?
The animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft begins shortly after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Lara is still struggling with nightmares about the loss of her close friends, including her mentor Conrad Roth, voiced by Nolan North.
Though Lara is haunted by these memories, she is not one to sit idle. She finds herself restless, especially as her friend Jonah, voiced by Earl Baylon, is preparing for his wedding. Lara longs for adventure once again.
Her wish for excitement is granted when a mysterious artifact is stolen from her home. The thief, Charles Devereaux, voiced by Richard Armitage, has a surprising connection to both Conrad Roth and Lara’s father.
This stolen object, known as a Peril Stone, is tied to ancient Chinese legends and holds dangerous supernatural powers. Lara knows that the artifact could lead to disaster if it falls into the wrong hands. Determined to stop this threat, Lara and Jonah head to China to retrieve the stolen item and uncover its secrets.
Throughout the series, Lara grows from the person we saw in the last three games to the skilled and experienced adventurer who made her a legend. The show takes viewers on a thrilling journey, showing her transformation and determination to face new challenges.
A Rough Start, But a Thrilling Journey
The series starts with a dream sequence that reflects Lara’s emotional struggles, but much of the first episode focuses on her life in England. While it sets the stage for what comes next, it takes a little time for the action to pick up.
Fans of the Tomb Raider franchise often enjoy seeing Lara thrown into exciting new adventures, so the slow pace in the beginning may feel different from the usual fast-paced tone of the games.
However, once the story gets moving, the action and excitement return in full force. After the first episode, the series picks up speed and delivers an engaging adventure for the rest of its seven episodes.
One advantage of the animated format is that it allows the creators to take Lara and her team to various exotic locations without the limitations of a live-action production. This means that while the first episode takes place mostly in Lara’s mansion, the rest of the series brings us to far more exciting settings, including mysterious tombs and dense rainforests.
Although the series acts as a prologue for the next Tomb Raider video game, it doesn’t lower the stakes of Lara’s mission. The scope of The Legend of Lara Croft feels grand, and the show gives us a wide range of action-packed scenes while still showing Lara’s emotional depth.
The series not only brings us on a journey filled with adventure but also goes deeper into Lara’s past, showing us more about what motivates her and what makes her the character we know today.
Stunning Animation and New Characters
While the series was first announced as a “Netflix Anime,” the animation was actually created by a studio based in Texas. The style of the show is influenced by Japanese art, but it doesn’t fully adopt the traditional anime aesthetic.
The animation in The Legend of Lara Croft feels smooth and visually appealing, and it perfectly captures the unique locations Lara and her companions visit throughout the series. The series avoids unnecessary filler content, focusing instead on telling an exciting and fast-paced story.
New characters are introduced along the way, including a reimagined version of Zip, voiced by Allen Maldonado, who was a long-time ally of Lara in previous Tomb Raider games. Another significant character is Camilla Roth, voiced by Zoe Boyle, who plays Lara’s estranged childhood best friend.
Their relationship adds emotional depth to the series, showing both the friendship and tension between the two women.
The connection between Lara and Camilla feels genuine and adds a meaningful layer to the story, making it one of the standout aspects of the show. The potential for future interactions between these characters is exciting, whether it’s in the next season of the series or in future games.
A Memorable Villain and Strong Performances
One of the best parts of The Legend of Lara Croft is the introduction of a new villain, Charles Devereaux. Unlike many one-dimensional villains, Devereaux is complex and layered.
He presents himself as someone who wants to stop a dangerous cult from ending the world, but it quickly becomes clear that his true intentions are far less noble. Despite his devious plans, there is something charismatic about Devereaux. Richard Armitage gives the character a compelling voice that makes him a memorable addition to Lara’s list of enemies.
Atwell’s portrayal of Lara Croft is also a highlight of the series. Although Camilla Luddington, who voiced Lara in the Survivor Trilogy, did not return for the role, Atwell does an excellent job of capturing Lara’s spirit. Her performance makes the character feel familiar, yet fresh, and never feels out of place.
Bringing the Franchise to New Audiences
Some fans may have preferred a new Tomb Raider video game over a television series, but The Legend of Lara Croft proves that the franchise can successfully move into new forms of storytelling.
The animated series captures the adventurous tone and atmosphere that made the games so beloved. It delivers an engaging plot, introduces new characters, and offers plenty of action scenes to keep viewers entertained.
For long-time fans, the series provides everything they love about Tomb Raider: the thrill of scene, the search for powerful artifacts, and, of course, plenty of tomb raiding. The animated series shows that Lara Croft’s story is far from over and that there is much more to look forward to in her future adventures.
