From Peaky Blinders to Split: A Look Back At The Joys of Anya Taylor-Joy

With Robert Eggers’ latest Viking thriller flick The Northman storming onto UK cinema screens over the Easter weekend, the movie’s main talking point is star-of-the-moment Anya Taylor-Joy’s long-awaited return to working with the visionary director.

Robert Eggers gave Anya Taylor-Joy her feature film debut when she was just 18-years-old in the disturbingly creepy The Witch (2015), where ATJ played the leading character Thomasin.

Born in Miami, raised in Buenos Aires and with British citizenship to add to that, the actress has gone on to star in a number of smash-hit films and TV series, on both sides of the pond.

To celebrate her wonderful career, the team at Betway have taken a look back through the years at all of Anya Taylor-Joy’s greatest roles. From indie horrors to period dramas, and more than a few magnificent Netflix series for good measure, ATJ has really done it all.

What lies in store for this fabulous actress in the future?

The Northman (2022)

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In her latest role, Anya Taylor-Joy teams up with visionary director Robert Eggers once again in the violent Viking thriller, The Northman.

ATJ plays Olga of the Birch Forest, the protagonist’s love interest with more than a few witchy tendencies. Some clips have shown ATJ with her long silver hair, a crown made of thorns and a ghostlike glow, while others have depicted her in simpler clothing. Whatever the costume, you’ll have to get down to your nearest cinema this weekend to catch her in action.

Peaky Blinders (2019-2022)

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Anya Taylor-Joy first burst onto the Peaky Blinders scene in 2019 during the show’s fifth season, playing the role of Gina Gray, the scheming wife of Michael Gray.

As the actress’ stock grew, so did her impact on the hit BBC series. By the show’s final season in April 2022, she was pulling all the strings and running rings around the show’s protagonist Tommy Shelby, all while looking fabulous in flapper girl dresses and fur-style coats.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

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Continuing on her meteoric rise to the superstardom, ATJ dazzled audiences when she starred as wannabe singer Sandie in Edgar Wright’s time-bending horror mystery, Last Night in Soho.

Often seen with a blonde beehive hairdo and wearing glamorous 60s dresses, ATJ’s stunning look was further complimented by the film’s heavy use of neon lighting.

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

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The Queen’s Gambit saw ATJ go ginger for her leading role in the Netflix smash-hit mini-series. ATJ truly cemented her position as one of the biggest stars of the decade with her jaw-dropping performance as orphaned chess whizz, Beth Harmon.

Emma. (2020)

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Stepping into this Jane Austen period piece with sublime ease, Anya Taylor-Joy looked totally home as the titular character Emma, an elegant young woman obsessed with meddling with the romantic lives of those closest to her.

Not only did ATJ wow in the colourful Regency-era gowns and flamboyant hats that she wore for the film, but her performance also earned her a Globen Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

The Dark Crystal (2019)

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Anya Taylor-Joy ventured into voice acting in 2019 by starring as Brea in Netflix’s puppet-filled fantasy adventure The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – a prequel to Jim Henson’s classic 1982 movie.

If any fans fail to work out that the bookish princess Brea is played by ATJ from voice alone, then her bold attitude and long silver hair should be the dead giveaway.

The Miniatuirst (2017)

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Taking it back to 17th century Amsterdam, Anya Taylor-Joy starred as the lead role in the mysterious drama, The Miniaturist, which was based on Jessie Burton’s best-selling novel.

Absolutely rocking the period clothing of hooded cloaks and flat bonnets, a baby-faced ATJ was forced to contend with a dollhouse that could eerily foreshadow her fate in this flick.

Thoroughbreds (2017)

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This black comedy and Cory Finley’s directorial debut showed another side to Anya Taylor-Joy’s acting prowess, as her character Lily makes a pact with her friend Amanda (played by Olivia Cooke) to kill Lily’s stepfather.

The costume department went all-out to achieve ATJ’s ‘upper-class teenager growing up in suburban America’ look in Thoroughbreds, which went somewhat under the radar and is well worth a revisit from fans of ATJ’s films.

Split (2016)

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Anya Taylor-Joy’s early rise to stardom started when she starred as Casey Cooke, the leading lady in M Night Shyamalan’s blockbuster thriller, Split. Casey is a troubled, but intelligent character and ATJ more than holds her own against James McAvoy’s multiple roles.

ATJ would reprise her role as Casey Cooke in the film’s follow-up movie Glass (2018), which completed M Night Shyamalan’s ‘Unbreakable’ trilogy.

The Witch (2015)

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Anya Taylor-Joy truly dived in at the deep end with her feature-length debut, starring as Thomasin in Robert Eggers’ creepy ‘folktale’ horror movie, The Witch.

ATJ’s critically-acclaimed performance in this cult classic horror saw her wearing the traditional New England settlers’ costume of the 1600s – flat bonents and woolen waistcoats, before she gave in to black magic and a whole lot of witchcraft.

What’s next?

Anya Taylor-Joy looks set to return to voice acting by providing the voice for Princess Peach in the new Super Mario Brothers animated movie, scheduled for release in late 2022.

There’s also an as-yet-untitled David O. Russell drama starring Chris Rock and Zoe Saldana alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in the works, so ATJ is far from done with us yet.