Key Facts About Anya Taylor-Joy
- Full name: Anya Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy
- Born: April 16, 1996 in Miami, Florida, USA
- Height: 169 cm (5'7")
- Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish
- Partner: Musician Malcolm McRae (since 2021)
- Notable roles: Thomasin in The Witch (2015), Casey Cooke in Split (2016) and Glass (2019), Beth Harmon in The Queen's Gambit (2020), Margot in The Menu (2022), Furiosa in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
- Awards: Golden Globe Award, Critics' Choice Television Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and multiple nominations
Early Life and Discovery
Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami to a Scottish-Argentine father and a Spanish-English mother. She is the youngest of six siblings. Her family moved to Buenos Aires when she was a toddler, and later relocated to London when she was six years old. Anya did not speak English at the time, but quickly learned the language while attending school. She discovered a passion for ballet, but her true dream was to become an actress.
Her entry into the entertainment industry came by chance. At age 16, while shopping at Harrods in London, she was approached by a model scout. Initially frightened, she ran away, but the scout persisted and eventually signed her. Anya took on modeling jobs to save money, all while secretly yearning to act. She moved to New York City at 17 with her savings, determined to break into acting. There, she met an agent who helped her land small roles, setting the stage for her meteoric rise.
Breakthrough and Critical Acclaim
Anya's big break came in 2015 with the arthouse horror film The Witch, directed by Robert Eggers. Set in 17th-century New England, the film tells the story of a Puritan family haunted by witchcraft. Anya played Thomasin, the eldest daughter, whose life unravels under suspicion and religious hysteria. Her performance was hailed as mesmerizing and deeply emotional. The film won the directing award at the Sundance Film Festival and earned Anya widespread recognition.
Following The Witch, she starred in M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller Split (2016) as Casey Cooke, a teenager abducted by a man with dissociative identity disorder. The film was a commercial success, and Anya reprised her role in the sequel Glass (2019). Shyamalan famously described her as 'like a raw, exposed nerve,' praising her ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously.
In 2019, Anya joined the cast of the acclaimed BBC series Peaky Blinders for its fifth season, playing the character Gina Gray. Her performance added a new layer of intrigue to the gritty crime drama.
Expanding Horizons: Netflix and Beyond
The year 2020 marked a turning point in Anya's career. She starred in two major projects: the Jane Austen adaptation Emma, playing the titular matchmaker, and the Marvel film The New Mutants, where she portrayed Illyana Rasputin / Magik. While both received mixed reviews, her performance in Emma was praised for its wit and charm.
But it was the Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit that catapulted her to global stardom. Anya played Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy struggling with addiction in the 1960s. The series became a cultural phenomenon, spending weeks at number one on Netflix and sparking a surge of interest in chess. Anya's portrayal was universally lauded; she won a Golden Globe, a Critics' Choice Television Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. She also received an Emmy nomination.
In 2021, she starred in Edgar Wright's psychological horror Last Night in Soho, playing the ghost of a 1960s singer. The film showcased her versatility, blending horror, drama, and thriller elements. The following year, she appeared in Robert Eggers' Viking epic The Northman and the satirical horror film The Menu, opposite Ralph Fiennes. In The Menu, Anya played Margot, the only dinner guest who refuses to be intimidated by a celebrity chef's deadly culinary experience. Her performance was noted for its cleverness and deadpan humor.
In 2024, Anya took on the iconic role of Furiosa in George Miller's prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, taking over the role made famous by Charlize Theron. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Anya walked the red carpet in a stunning Dior Haute Couture gown, cementing her status as a fashion icon as well as a leading actress.
Personal Life
Anya Taylor-Joy began dating musician Malcolm McRae in early 2021. McRae is a singer-songwriter and member of the band More. The couple made their first public appearance at a pre-Oscar party in March 2022, and later that month attended the premiere of The Northman, where they shared a public kiss that made headlines. In an interview with British Vogue, Anya said of Malcolm: 'I finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me and read.' The couple married in a private ceremony in 2022 and have since been seen together at numerous events, including the 2024 Met Gala and the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Despite her fame, Anya remains grounded. She speaks Spanish fluently, can play ukulele and electric guitar, and has credited her family for keeping her humble. She continues to work with major fashion houses like Dior and Tiffany & Co., serving as a brand ambassador.
Upcoming Projects
Anya Taylor-Joy shows no signs of slowing down. She is attached to star in the action-comedy The Gorge, directed by Scott Derrickson, and will reunite with director Robert Eggers for a yet-untitled project. She also continues to explore television and streaming opportunities, building on the success of The Queen's Gambit. With her unique blend of talent, intelligence, and striking beauty, Anya Taylor-Joy is poised to be one of the defining actresses of her generation.
Source: gala.de News