Anya Taylor-Joy gained widespread recognition for her breakthrough role in the psychological horror film “The Witch” (2015). She continued to build her career with roles in films such as “Split” (2016), “Thoroughbreds” (2017), and “Glass” (2019). One of her most notable performances is in the Netflix miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020), where she played the lead role of Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy.
Overview of Anya Taylor-Joy's Career
- Early Years and Breakthrough (2015-2016):
- Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough came with her lead role as Thomasin in the critically acclaimed horror film “The Witch” (2015). Her performance received widespread praise, and the film marked her emergence in the industry.
- In 2016, she appeared in “Split,” a psychological horror-thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, playing the role of Casey Cooke. The film was a commercial success and further showcased her acting abilities.
- Diverse Roles and Critical Acclaim (2017-2019):
- Anya continued to take on diverse roles, demonstrating her range as an actress. She starred in the dark comedy-drama “Thoroughbreds” (2017) and reprised her role as Casey Cooke in the sequel “Glass” (2019).
- During this period, she also appeared in other projects, showcasing her versatility in different genres.
- Television Work and “The Queen’s Gambit” (2014-2020):
- Anya Taylor-Joy had a recurring role in the popular British crime drama series “Peaky Blinders” (2014-2019), playing Gina Gray.
- In 2020, Anya gained widespread acclaim and international recognition for her lead role as Beth Harmon in the Netflix miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit.” The show, centered around the world of chess, received critical acclaim for both its storytelling and Anya’s performance.
- Continued Success and Recognition (2021 Onward):
Anya Taylor-Joy continued to build on her success, taking on roles in various high-profile projects.
- She has been cast in roles that showcase her acting prowess and versatility, solidifying her status as one of the industry’s rising stars.
Early Career of Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy’s early career is characterized by her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed horror film “The Witch” (2015). Before her breakthrough, she had limited experience in the entertainment industry. Here are some key points about her early career:
- Discovery and “The Witch” (2015):
- Anya Taylor-Joy’s journey into acting began when she was noticed by a talent scout while walking in London. This led to her casting in her first major role in “The Witch.”
- “The Witch,” directed by Robert Eggers, was a period horror film that gained attention for its atmospheric tension and psychological horror. Anya played the lead role of Thomasin, a Puritan girl facing supernatural occurrences in 1630s New England. Her performance was widely praised and established her as a rising talent in the industry.
- Post-“The Witch” Projects (2016):
- Following the success of “The Witch,” Anya Taylor-Joy quickly gained recognition in the industry. In 2016, she appeared in “Split,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, where she played the role of Casey Cooke. The film, a psychological thriller, further showcased her acting abilities and contributed to her growing reputation.
- Diverse Roles (2017-2019):
- In the years that followed, Anya took on a variety of roles, showcasing her versatility. She starred in “Thoroughbreds” (2017), a dark comedy-drama, where she played the character Lily. The film received positive reviews for its unique tone and performances.
- Anya reprised her role as Casey Cooke in “Glass” (2019), the sequel to “Split,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film continued to highlight her presence in the thriller genre.
- Television Work (“Peaky Blinders”):
- Anya had a recurring role in the popular British crime drama series “Peaky Blinders,” playing the character Gina Gray. Her involvement in the series spanned multiple seasons, contributing to her growing presence in both film and television.
Breakthrough Role of Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough role came with her lead performance in the horror film “The Witch,” which was released in 2015. Directed by Robert Eggers, “The Witch” is a period horror film that gained critical acclaim for its atmospheric tension, psychological depth, and Taylor-Joy’s compelling performance.
In “The Witch,” Anya Taylor-Joy played the character Thomasin, a teenage girl living with her Puritan family in 1630s New England. The family faces supernatural occurrences and a growing sense of paranoia and dread. Thomasin becomes the central focus as suspicion falls upon her, leading to a chilling exploration of fear, isolation, and religious fanaticism.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Thomasin was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Her nuanced and captivating performance in this psychologically intense role showcased her talent and ability to convey a wide range of emotions. “The Witch” marked her as a rising star in the film industry and garnered attention for her unique approach to horror storytelling.
Following the success of “The Witch,” Anya Taylor-Joy’s career gained momentum, and she went on to take on various roles in both film and television. Notably, her subsequent performances in films like “Split” (2016) and the Netflix miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020) further solidified her status as a talented and versatile actress.
Rise to Fame of Anya Taylor-Joy's
Anya Taylor-Joy’s rise to fame can be attributed to several key factors, with her breakthrough role in the horror film “The Witch” playing a pivotal role in establishing her as a notable talent in the entertainment industry. Here are some aspects of her rise to fame:
- Breakthrough Role in “The Witch” (2015): Anya Taylor-Joy’s journey to stardom began with her lead role as Thomasin in “The Witch.” The film, directed by Robert Eggers, garnered critical acclaim for its atmospheric horror, historical setting, and Taylor-Joy’s compelling performance. Her portrayal of the central character in a psychologically intense and supernatural story marked her as a standout talent.
- Critical Acclaim and Industry Recognition: Taylor-Joy’s performance in “The Witch” received widespread praise, and her ability to convey complex emotions and depth at a young age was recognized by critics. This critical acclaim helped her gain attention in the film industry, and she quickly became known for her acting prowess.
- Diverse Roles and Genres: Following the success of “The Witch,” Anya Taylor-Joy demonstrated her versatility by taking on roles in various genres. She appeared in psychological thrillers like “Split” (2016) and dark comedies like “Thoroughbreds” (2017), showcasing her ability to tackle different types of characters.
- Television and “Peaky Blinders”: Anya had a recurring role in the popular British series “Peaky Blinders,” contributing to her visibility in the television landscape. Her involvement in a well-received series further expanded her audience.
- “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020): Anya Taylor-Joy’s fame reached new heights with her starring role as Beth Harmon in the Netflix miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit.” The show became a massive hit, gaining international acclaim for its storytelling and Taylor-Joy’s outstanding performance. This series brought her widespread recognition and solidified her status as a rising star in the industry.
- Award Nominations and Accolades: Anya Taylor-Joy received nominations and awards for her performances, including recognition at prestigious events like the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Such accolades further contributed to her rising prominence.
Anya Taylor-joy Tv shows
Anya Taylor-Joy had a recurring role in “Peaky Blinders,” a critically acclaimed series created by Steven Knight. She appeared in the series during its fourth and fifth seasons (2017-2019) as Gina Gray, a character with connections to the Shelby family.
- The Queen’s Gambit (2020): This Netflix miniseries tells the story of Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy who struggles with addiction and personal demons as she rises through the ranks of the chess world. Taylor-Joy’s performance earned her a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
- Peaky Blinders (2019-2022): This British period crime drama follows the Shelby family, a gang of criminals who rise to power in Birmingham after World War I. Taylor-Joy played Gina Gray, the ambitious and ruthless wife of Michael Gray.
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019): This Netflix fantasy series is a prequel to the 1982 film The Dark Crystal. Taylor-Joy voiced Brea, a brave and adventurous princess who fights to save her world from the Skeksis.
- The Miniaturist (2017): This British miniseries is based on the novel of the same name by Jessie Burton. Taylor-Joy played Nella Oortman, a young woman who moves to Amsterdam in the 17th century and becomes a miniaturist for a wealthy merchant.
- Atlantis (2015): This British fantasy drama series is set in the mythical city of Atlantis. Taylor-Joy played Princess Ariadne, a strong and intelligent woman who is determined to protect her city.
Please note that information about Anya Taylor-Joy’s television projects might have changed since my last update. For the latest and most accurate information, it’s recommended to check recent sources or her official profiles.
Anya Taylor-Joy movie list
- The Witch (2015): Anya Taylor-Joy plays the lead role of Thomasin in this supernatural horror film directed by Robert Eggers.
- Morgan (2016): She stars in this science fiction horror film directed by Luke Scott.
- Barry (2016): Anya has a small role in this Barack Obama biographical film.
- Split (2016): Anya portrays the character Casey Cooke in this psychological horror-thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
- Thoroughbreds (2017): She plays Lily in this dark comedy-drama film.
- Glass (2019): Anya reprised her role as Casey Cooke in this superhero thriller, a sequel to “Split.”
- Emma. (2020): Anya takes on the lead role of Emma Woodhouse in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel.
- Radioactive (2019): Anya plays the role of Irene Curie in this biographical film about Marie Curie.
- The New Mutants (2020): Anya appears as Illyana Rasputin / Magik in this superhero horror film set in the X-Men universe.
- The Queen’s Gambit (2020): While not a movie, it’s worth mentioning that Anya Taylor-Joy gained widespread acclaim for her lead role as Beth Harmon in this Netflix miniseries about chess.
Anya Taylor-Joy's Awards and Nominations
Awards:
- Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (2016): Won – Best Actress for “The Witch.”
- Fright Meter Awards (2016): Won – Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Witch.”
- Newport Beach Film Festival (2017): Won – Breakout Star for “Thoroughbreds.”
- Empire Awards (2018): Won – Best Female Newcomer for “The Witch” and “Split.”
- MTV Movie & TV Awards (2017): Won – Best Actor in a Movie for “Split” (shared with James McAvoy).
Nominations:
- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (2016): Nominated – Most Promising Performer for “The Witch.”
- Empire Awards (2016): Nominated – Best Female Newcomer for “The Witch.”
- Saturn Awards (2017): Nominated – Best Performance by a Younger Actor for “The Witch.”
- BAFTA Rising Star Award (2017): Nominated – Rising Star.
- Golden Globe Awards (2021): Nominated – Best Actress in a Television Series – Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for “The Queen’s Gambit.”
Frequently Asked Question
Anya Taylor-Joy is of British-Argentinian descent. She was born in Miami, Florida, and spent part of her childhood in Argentina before moving to the United Kingdom.
Anya Taylor-Joy was born on April 16, 1996.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough film is considered to be “The Witch” (2015), where she played the lead role of Thomasin. The film gained critical acclaim for its atmospheric horror and her compelling performance.
Yes, Anya Taylor-Joy has won several awards, including Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, Fright Meter Awards, and Empire Awards. She has also received nominations for prestigious awards like the Golden Globe Awards.
