True Blood actress Camilla Luddington - who has also played Kate Middleton - will be the next Lara Croft.
Luddington was named by developers Square Enix, after what they called "an international talent search".
The games publisher said Luddington is to be the voice of Lara, and will also be digitally captured for movements and cut-scene sequences.
The actress played Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, in a television movie about her romance with the Duke of Cambridge Prince William.
The new Tomb Raider game, set to be released in March 2013, has been pitched as a darker, grittier 'reboot' of the venerable action series.
However the game has also been widely criticised after it emerged Lara will face attempted rape alongside the gun battles, platform jumps and death-defying escapes more usually seen in video games.
"This has been one of the most important jobs for us to get right," said Darrell Gallagher, head of studio at Crystal Dynamics.
"'This Tomb Raider game is very different to any other and we are demanding far more from the voice and performance acting than ever before as we take the franchise in a new direction."
Camilla Luddington
Premiere Of HBO's "True Blood" 5th Season - Red Carpet(01 of05)
Open Image ModalHOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 30: Actress Camilla Luddington arrives at the premiere of HBO 'True Blood' season 5 premiere held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on May 30, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
19th Annual Race To Erase MS - Red Carpet(02 of05)
Open Image ModalCENTURY CITY, CA - MAY 18: Actress Camilla Luddington arrives at the 19th Annual Race to Erase MS held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 18, 2012 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Race to Erase MS) (credit:Getty)
Actors Camilla Luddington (L) and Nico E(03 of05)
Open Image ModalActors Camilla Luddington (L) and Nico Evers-Swindell, who star as Kate Middleton and Britain's Prince William in a television film entitled 'William and Kate: The Movie' pose for photographs outside Westminster Abbey in London, on April 25, 2011. The film, inspired by the royal wedding, premiered in the United States on April 18. Britain's Prince William will marry his fiancee Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London, on April 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
19th Annual Race To Erase MS -"Glam Rock To Erase MS" - Arrivals(04 of05)
Open Image ModalCENTURY CITY, CA - MAY 18: Actress Camilla Luddington attends the 19th Annual Race To Erase MS - 'Glam Rock To Erase MS' event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 18, 2012 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
CBS, The CW & Showtime's 2011 TCA Party - Arrivals(05 of05)
Open Image ModalBEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 03: Actress Camilla Luddington arrives at the TCA Party for CBS, The CW and Showtime held at The Pagoda on August 3, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)