Anya Taylor-Joy (born April 16, 1996) is an Argentine-British actress known for striking, character-driven performances across horror, prestige drama, and large-scale studio films. She first broke through with The Witch and quickly expanded into mainstream visibility with roles in Split and Glass, building a reputation for intensity, precision, and an ability to anchor unusual stories.
Her global profile surged with Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, where she played chess prodigy Beth Harmon and became strongly associated with modern limited-series success. Since then, she has moved between period work (Emma), genre films (Last Night in Soho, The Menu), and franchise-scale projects, including her lead role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Anya Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy |
| Profession: | Actress |
| Born: | April 16, 1996 |
| Age: | 29 (as of Feb 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Miami, Florida, United States |
| Nationality: | Argentine-British |
| Known For: | The Queen’s Gambit; The Witch; Split; Emma; Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga |
| Notable Films: | The Witch; Split; The Northman; The Menu; Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga |
| Awards: | Golden Globe winner; SAG Award winner; Emmy-nominated (notable major recognitions) |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Relationship: | Married to Malcolm McRae |
| Years Active: | 2014 to present |
Early Life & Education
Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami and spent parts of her childhood across multiple countries, including time in Argentina and the United Kingdom. That cross-cultural upbringing is often mentioned as a key part of her identity and creative outlook, and she has spoken about moving frequently while growing up.
As a teenager, she attended school in London and eventually left formal schooling to pursue acting. Her early path was not built around a long stage résumé. Instead, she moved quickly into screen work, where her distinctive look and focused screen presence helped her stand out in auditions for unusual, high-atmosphere projects.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Taylor-Joy’s early breakthrough came with the period horror film The Witch, a performance that put her on the radar as a serious, high-upside newcomer. From there, she built momentum through psychologically intense work like Split and character-focused ensemble projects that showcased range rather than repetition.
Her most widely recognized role arrived with Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, where she played Beth Harmon and helped turn a chess drama into a global pop culture moment. In the years that followed, she balanced prestige and scale, moving between films such as Emma, Last Night in Soho, and The Menu, while also stepping into franchise-level visibility with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and a notable appearance in Dune: Part Two.
Selected film and TV highlights
- The Witch (2015)
- Split (2016)
- Thoroughbreds (2017)
- Glass (2019)
- Emma (2020)
- The Queen’s Gambit (2020, limited series)
- Last Night in Soho (2021)
- The Northman (2022)
- The Menu (2022)
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, voice)
- Dune: Part Two (2024)
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Major recognition
- Golden Globe Award win for The Queen’s Gambit (acting, limited series category)
- Screen Actors Guild Award win as part of the The Queen’s Gambit ensemble
- Primetime Emmy Award nomination for The Queen’s Gambit (lead acting, limited series category)
- Critics Choice recognition for The Queen’s Gambit (major TV awards visibility)
- Trophée Chopard recognition tied to Cannes visibility (career momentum milestone)
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Empire Awards | Best Female Newcomer | The Witch | Won |
| 2017 | Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Actor | Thoroughbreds | Won |
| 2017 | Trophée Chopard (Cannes) | Career recognition | N/A | Won |
| 2021 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress (Limited Series) | The Queen’s Gambit | Won |
| 2021 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble (Drama) | The Queen’s Gambit | Won |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Lead Actress (Limited Series) | The Queen’s Gambit | Nominated |
| 2021 | Critics Choice Awards | Best Actress (Limited Series) | The Queen’s Gambit | Won |
| 2021 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) | Emma | Nominated |
| 2023 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) | The Menu | Nominated |
| 2024 | Major festival premiere | Cannes Film Festival red carpet | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | Appearance |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Witch | Film | Breakout role in a landmark modern horror film. |
| 2016 | Split | Film | Main cast role in a major psychological thriller hit. |
| 2017 | Thoroughbreds | Film | Critically praised performance in a dark comedy thriller. |
| 2019 | Glass | Film | Returned in the Split universe follow-up. |
| 2020 | Emma | Film | Lead role in the Jane Austen adaptation. |
| 2020 | The Queen’s Gambit | TV (limited) | Lead role as Beth Harmon, global breakthrough and major awards run. |
| 2021 | Last Night in Soho | Film | Edgar Wright psychological thriller, dual-era character work. |
| 2022 | The Northman | Film | Historical epic, ensemble role in a major director-led project. |
| 2022 | The Menu | Film | Lead role in the satirical thriller, awards-season visibility. |
| 2023 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Film (voice) | Voice role in a major animated box office title. |
| 2024 | Dune: Part Two | Film | Notable appearance in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic sequel. |
| 2024 | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | Film | Lead role in the Mad Max saga prequel, high-physical performance. |
| 2026 | Lucky | TV (limited) | Apple TV+ limited series lead role (announced premiere window). |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (public estimates) | Public estimates vary widely. No verified figure has been publicly documented by Taylor-Joy, so treat most online numbers as unconfirmed. |
| Income Sources | Primary income comes from acting in film and television, plus potential producing work, brand campaigns, and voice roles. |
| Properties & Assets | Specific property details are not consistently documented in reliable public sources. Coverage generally focuses on her projects and public appearances. |
| Lifestyle | Often described as private off-camera, with interests that include reading, travel, and fashion. Interviews and features regularly highlight her style and red-carpet presence. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official account: @anyataylorjoy (verification status can change, but this handle is widely cited in mainstream coverage). | |
| X (Twitter) | She has had a presence on the platform, but coverage has noted account-hack incidents. Treat posts cautiously and confirm authenticity before relying on them. |
| IMDb | Filmography reference: IMDb. |
| Official Website | No single long-standing personal site is consistently used as an official hub in major coverage. Most updates appear via official studio channels and verified social platforms. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: Many fan-run pages and clip accounts exist. These are not confirmed to be affiliated with Anya Taylor-Joy. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- She has often been described as having a cross-cultural upbringing, with childhood time connected to both Argentina and the United Kingdom.
- Her early breakout role in The Witch helped position her as a standout in modern horror before she moved into mainstream studio films.
- The Queen’s Gambit made her a global household name and boosted mainstream interest in chess and chess culture.
- Her career is notable for switching between prestige projects and franchise-scale films, rather than staying in one lane.
- Coverage of her public life is relatively controlled and private compared to many peers, with most verified details tied to professional releases and major events.
- She has spoken in features about enjoying quiet, off-camera routines, including reading, and protecting personal time between projects.
Quotes
“But I also likened Beth’s passion for chess to my passion for acting. It’s a calling.”
— Interview quote published by The Guardian (2020)
“I wanted to be tested ‘in every way, shape or form.’”
— Associated Press interview about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
“I still don’t have my license. I haven’t been anywhere long enough to get a license.”
— Quoted in PEOPLE, discussing driving and stunts (2024)
“I’ve finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading.”
— Quoted in PEOPLE, referencing a British Vogue interview (2024)
“My Twitter has been hacked. Apologies for all inconveniences, it’s not me!”
— Entertainment Weekly report quoting her Instagram story (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Anya Taylor-Joy’s age?
A: She was born April 16, 1996. As of February 2026, she is 29 years old.
Q: What is Anya Taylor-Joy best known for?
A: She is widely known for The Queen’s Gambit, plus major film roles such as The Witch, Split, Emma, The Menu, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Q: Where was Anya Taylor-Joy born?
A: She was born in Miami, Florida, United States.
Q: Is Anya Taylor-Joy married?
A: She is married to musician Malcolm McRae. Public reporting has described a private ceremony in 2022 and a later celebration in 2023.
Q: Has Anya Taylor-Joy won major awards?
A: Yes. Her most prominent major-awards run came from The Queen’s Gambit, including a Golden Globe win, plus additional major nominations and industry awards.
Upcoming Projects
- Lucky (Apple TV+ limited series) – Announced Apple TV+ project with a published premiere date window (mid-2026), with Taylor-Joy as the lead.
- The Gorge – A feature project widely reported in entertainment databases and coverage, associated with Taylor-Joy in a leading role (release timing can shift).
- Dune: Part Three – Ongoing franchise development where her Dune: Part Two appearance has fueled expectation of continued involvement, pending official confirmations as production updates evolve.
- Additional film packages in development – Like many top-tier actors, her slate can change quickly as projects move from announcement to production.
Interviews & Features
- The Guardian, “Anya Taylor-Joy: ‘I likened Beth’s passion for chess to my passion for acting. It’s a calling’” (Dec 6, 2020) , a wide-ranging profile tied to The Queen’s Gambit, focusing on craft, obsession, and the unusual pressure of playing a character whose genius must feel authentic.
- British Vogue, “Anya Taylor-Joy Talks Romance, Raving & Rebellion” (Mar 23, 2022) , an in-depth feature that blends career reflection with personal taste, privacy, and her off-camera routines.
- Associated Press, “Anya Taylor-Joy on ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ | AP full interview” (May 2024) , a film-focused interview that digs into the physical demands of the role and what it takes to carry a high-intensity action character.
- PEOPLE, “Anya Taylor-Joy ‘Still’ Doesn’t Have a Driver’s License Despite Doing Wild Car Stunts for Furiosa” (May 6, 2024) , a lighter feature with quotable details about her stunt driving, travel-heavy life, and the realities of learning high-risk choreography for film.
- Entertainment Weekly, “Anya Taylor-Joy’s Twitter was hacked by someone who really wants a Queen’s Gambit sequel” (Jan 30, 2023) , a short report that clarifies platform authenticity and shows how quickly rumors can spread when social posts are not verified.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- Cannes Film Festival (2017): She attended Cannes in connection with the Trophée Chopard recognition, an early-career prestige milestone.
- Cannes Film Festival (May 15, 2024): She appeared for the premiere of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a major red-carpet moment tied to one of the most high-profile festival screenings of the year.
- Golden Globe Awards (2021 season): She was prominent during the awards run for The Queen’s Gambit, including a Golden Globe win that helped define her mainstream breakthrough period.
- Golden Globes (Jan 2023): She appeared publicly with Malcolm McRae during a widely covered awards-weekend stretch.
- Marrakech International Film Festival (Dec 2024): She served as a jury member, adding another notable festival credential outside the standard promotional circuit.
