Anya Taylor‑Joy: profile of the Argentine‑British actress

Early life and background

Born to an Argentine mother and a British father, Taylor‑Joy spent parts of her childhood in Argentina and the United Kingdom. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and began modeling and studying performing arts in her teens before pursuing acting full time.

Breakthrough and career development

Her first major break came with Robert Eggers' period horror film The Witch (2015), which drew critical notice. She followed with a mix of genre pieces and literary adaptations: a harrowing turn in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split (2017) and its sequel Glass (2019), a lead in the period comedy Emma (2020), and a part in the superhero‑adjacent The New Mutants (2020).

Television success and recognition

Taylor‑Joy achieved widespread acclaim for starring in the Netflix limited series The Queen’s Gambit (2020), portraying a chess prodigy. That role brought major awards attention, including a Golden Globe for best actress in a limited series, and established her as a leading performer across mediums.

Acting style and public image

Critics frequently note her strong screen presence, striking features, and ability to shift between psychological drama, period pieces, and mainstream genre films. Outside acting she is often cited for her fashion choices and is a regular on awards show and magazine lists.

Selected credits

• The Witch (2015) — breakout role
• Split (2017) and Glass (2019) — mainstream thriller roles
• Emma (2020) — leading role in a literary adaptation
• The Queen’s Gambit (2020) — award‑winning television performance
• The New Mutants (2020) — genre film

Taylor‑Joy’s career continues to blend independent and studio projects, and she remains a prominent figure in contemporary film and television casting.