Tomb Raider star Hayley Atwell says the Netflix series aims to create a "more complicated" Lara Croft that isn't "always driven by the big, bold brushstrokes of heroism"
Oct. 10, 2024Exclusive: Hayley Atwell speaks to GamesRadar+ about bringing new dimensions to the video game icon in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
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Hayley Atwell, star of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, has revealed how the new Netflix series aims to create a “more complicated” depiction of the video game icon.
“[Director Meredith Layne] and [creator] Tasha [Huo] were really keen that we create a Lara that is recognizable as resilient, witty, with physical prowess [and] curious, but also someone that is a bit more complicated than that, that it’s not always driven by the big, bold brushstrokes of heroism,” Atwell tells GamesRadar+.
For Atwell, part of the charm of this iteration of the character was exploring the archaeologist’s “humanity” alongside her globetrotting and trap-dodging adventures.
“It’s to do with sort of mirroring back the cultural consciousness of how we, as audience members, want to see our heroes,” Atwell explains. “What seems to be more of a trend is seeing what makes them tick or seeing limitations in who they are… rather than just being impenetrably brilliant and unflappable, which is great to see – but not very human.”
Atwell adds, “As we – as audiences – develop more of an interest in wanting to see the humanity alongside these kinds of aspirational characters then, as a creative, I want to be showing that and offering that up to the audience.”
Hayley Atwell stars in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, with all eight episodes streaming on Netflix.
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I’m the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you’ll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.
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