Anya Taylor-Joy Bio
Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy (born 16 April 1996) is an actress known for her work in film and television. Born in Miami and raised in Buenos Aires and London, she first garnered attention for her role in the horror film The Witch (2015) and has since received critical acclaim for her performances in Split, Emma, and The Queen’s Gambit, the latter of which won her a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Her career continues to flourish with starring roles in upcoming projects.
Early Life and Background
Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida, to Dennis Alan Taylor, a former banker, and Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist. Her father is of Argentine descent, while her mother was born in Zambia to an English diplomat and a Spanish mother. Taylor-Joy is the youngest of six siblings, four of whom are from her father’s previous marriage. She has stated that her birth in Miami was a “fluke,” as her parents were vacationing there at the time. Due to her birthplace, she holds American citizenship. Taylor-Joy lived in Buenos Aires until the age of six, when her family moved to London. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and attended various schools, where she participated in school productions, despite struggling socially during her early education.
Path to Hollywood
Taylor-Joy initially trained in dance, studying ballet until the age of 15. At 17, she was scouted as a model while walking her dog in London. She signed with an agency on the condition that acting remained her primary focus. Her acting career began with a small role in the 2014 film Vampire Academy, although her scenes were ultimately cut. She made her television debut in the series Endeavour and had a multi-episode arc in Atlantis. Her breakthrough came with a leading role in The Witch, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and received critical acclaim. This role established her as a talented actress in the industry.
Anya Taylor-Joy Career
Early Career (2013–2019)
Anya Taylor-Joy’s early career included her notable performance in The Witch, which was a turning point for her. Following this, she starred in the horror film Split alongside James McAvoy, which was a commercial success, grossing over $278 million worldwide. She also appeared in the drama film Barry and the science fiction horror film Morgan. In 2017, she received the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor and the Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer. Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Gina Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders further solidified her reputation as a rising star.
Breakthrough (2020–present)
In 2020, Taylor-Joy starred as Emma Woodhouse in the adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, which received positive reviews. She also portrayed Beth Harmon in the Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit, which became a cultural phenomenon and won her several awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. The series was viewed by 62 million households within its first month of release, making it Netflix’s biggest scripted limited series to date. Following this success, she starred in films such as Last Night in Soho and The Northman, and lent her voice to Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Notable Works and Milestones
Anya Taylor-Joy’s signature work includes her role in The Queen’s Gambit, which not only earned her critical acclaim but also showcased her versatility as an actress. She has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, marking her as one of the leading actresses of her generation.
Anya Taylor-Joy Award Nominations
Anya Taylor-Joy has received several nominations throughout her career, particularly for her role in The Queen’s Gambit, which garnered her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, among others.
Anya Taylor-Joy Awards Won
Taylor-Joy has won prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for her performance in The Queen’s Gambit.
Anya Taylor-Joy Family
Anya Taylor-Joy is married to musician Malcolm McRae, with whom she began a relationship in 2021. They married in a private ceremony on April 1, 2022, in New Orleans, followed by a second ceremony in Venice, Italy, in September 2023.
Personal Life
Anya Taylor-Joy has been open about her experiences growing up and her journey in the entertainment industry. She has faced challenges in her personal and professional life but continues to thrive as an actress, with a growing list of upcoming projects, including a starring role in the action film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and a biopic portraying a young Joni Mitchell.
