Anya Taylor-Joy Biography: Actor, Movies & Personal life

Latest News: September 2024

Anya Taylor-Joy continues to make headlines with her captivating performances and recent signing for new projects. In September 2024, she is at the centre of industry buzz due to her upcoming role in the highly anticipated sequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” titled “Furiosa.” Fans and critics alike are excited to see her portrayal of the title character in what promises to be one of her most dynamic and challenging roles. She is also gaining attention for her involvement in projects with acclaimed directors, solidifying her position as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after actresses.

Quick Overview

Full Name	Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy
Date of Birth	April 16, 1996
Place of Birth	Miami, Florida, USA
Nationality	British-Argentinian-American
Profession	Actress, Model
Debut Film	The Witch (2015)
Breakthrough Role	The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Notable Awards	Golden Globe, SAG Award
Upcoming Films	Furiosa, Nosferatu

Early Life and Background

Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida, to a British-Argentinian father and a British-Spanish mother. She grew up in Buenos Aires before moving to London at the age of six, where she faced challenge of adapting to a new culture and learning English. Her unique upbringing and exposure to multiple languages—Spanish being her first—shaped her perspective and brought a nuanced depth to her acting performances.

Taylor-Joy initially pursued ballet and modeling before turning to acting, which would ultimately prove her true passion. She was discovered at the age of 16 while walking outside London’s Harrods department store by Sarah Doukas of Storm Management. The same agency launched the career of supermodel Kate Moss.

Career Overview

Breakthrough in Horror and Thriller Genres (2015–2019)

Anya Taylor-Joy’s career took off with her role in Robert Eggers’ critically acclaimed period horror film The Witch (2015), in which she played Thomasin, a young girl accused of witchcraft in Puritan New England. Her haunting performance earned her widespread recognition and set the tone for her future work in psychological thrillers and horror films.

She quickly followed up with roles in Split (2016) and its sequel Glass (2019), directed by M. Night Shyamalan. In these films, Taylor-Joy played Casey Cooke, a survivor in a world of trauma and terror. Her role in Split cemented her reputation as a force in the psychological thriller genre, and her ability to express complex emotions with minimal dialogue became a signature trait.

In 2017, she starred in Thoroughbreds, a dark comedy thriller that further showcased her range as an actress. She played a wealthy and disturbed teenager alongside Olivia Cooke.

The Queen’s Gambit and Global Stardom (2020)

2020 was a defining year for Anya Taylor-Joy. She became a household name with her starring role in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, in which she portrayed Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy struggling with addiction and personal demons. Her nuanced portrayal of the character won her several awards, like a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award. The series became a global phenomenon, catapulting Taylor-Joy into superstardom and solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most talented young actors.

The role required meticulous preparation, including learning how to play chess and understanding the psychological complexity of Beth Harmon’s journey. Taylor-Joy’s performance drew praise for its emotional depth and her ability to convey both vulnerability and fierce independence.

Diversifying into Various Genres (2021–Present)

After the success of The Queen’s Gambit, Taylor-Joy took on various roles in different genres, proving her versatility. She starred in Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller Last Night in Soho (2021), which blended horror, mystery, and time-travel elements. Her role as a glamorous singer in 1960s London demonstrated her capability in a retro, period piece setting.

In 2022, she reunited with director Robert Eggers for The Northman, a Viking revenge saga in which she played Olga, a Slavic sorceress. The film showcased her ability to adapt to intense physical roles while maintaining emotional gravitas.

Anya Taylor-Joy also entered the world of voice acting with The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), where she lent her voice to Princess Peach, adding a major animated feature to her resume.

Notable Films and Roles

Film	Year	Role	Director	Box Office
The Witch	2015	Thomasin	Robert Eggers	$40.4 million
Split	2016	Casey Cooke	M. Night Shyamalan	$278.5 million
Thoroughbreds	2017	Lily	Cory Finley	$3 million
Glass	2019	Casey Cooke	M. Night Shyamalan	$247 million
Emma	2020	Emma Woodhouse	Autumn de Wilde	$27.4 million
The Queen’s Gambit (TV)	2020	Beth Harmon	Scott Frank	N/A (TV series)
Last Night in Soho	2021	Sandie	Edgar Wright	$23 million
The Northman	2022	Olga	Robert Eggers	$70 million
The Menu	2022	Margot	Mark Mylod	$79 million
The Super Mario Bros. Movie	2023	Princess Peach (voice)	Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic	$1.362 billion

Upcoming Movies

Anya Taylor-Joy has a series of exciting projects, including major blockbusters and unique indie films showcasing her range.

Film	Year	Role	Director	Status
Furiosa	2024	Furiosa	George Miller	Post-Production
Nosferatu	2024	To be announced	Robert Eggers	Filming
Laughter in the Dark	2025	Margot	Scott Frank	Pre-Production

“Furiosa” (2024)

Furiosa is one of the most anticipated films of the coming year, marking Taylor-Joy’s entry into the Mad Max franchise. Directed by George Miller, the film serves as a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and follows the origins of the titular character, Furiosa. The film is expected to be a visually stunning, high-octane adventure, and fans are eager to see how Taylor-Joy interprets the role previously played by Charlize Theron.

“Nosferatu” (2024)

Taylor-Joy will reteam with Robert Eggers for his reimagining of Nosferatu, a classic horror film originally made in 1922. While her exact role remains under wraps, the project is highly anticipated, especially given the success of her previous collaborations with Eggers. The gothic tone of Nosferatu is expected to perfectly match Taylor-Joy’s eerie and ethereal screen presence.

Personal Life and Family

Like her career, Anya Taylor-Joy’s personal life is marked by a fascinating blend of cultures and experiences. Born to a British-Argentinian father and a British-Spanish mother, she is the youngest of six siblings, growing up in a close-knit family with strong ties to Argentina and the UK. Her early years were spent in Buenos Aires, where she only spoke Spanish until her family moved to London when she was six. This drastic change in her life helped shape her resilient character and worldly perspective.

Despite her growing fame, Taylor-Joy maintains a relatively private personal life, often keeping her relationships and family matters away from the media spotlight. She has mentioned the strong influence her family has had on her journey, with her mother being one of her greatest sources of support. Her multicultural upbringing allowed her to navigate various worlds easily, and she has expressed a deep connection to Argentina and the UK, often splitting her time between the two.

In interviews, Taylor-Joy has emphasized the importance of close personal relationships, particularly with her friends and family, whom she credits keeping her grounded amid her rapidly rising career. She enjoys the reading and spending time outdoors and is known for her love of music, often citing it as a major source of inspiration in her life. Though she attends major fashion events and is a regular figure in high fashion, Taylor-Joy usually describes herself as someone who cherishes quiet, reflective moments away from the limelight.

Her romantic life has also attracted media attention, although she keeps these details under wraps. As of 2024, she has been rumoured to be in a serious relationship but prefers to focus on her craft and personal growth. For Anya Taylor-Joy, balancing her rapidly ascending career with a stable, private personal life is crucial to her well-being.