Five years have passed since the Netflix phenomenon The Queen’s Gambit premiered, thrusting actress Anya Taylor-Joy into the global spotlight. Her mesmerizing, Golden Globe-winning performance as chess prodigy Beth Harmon not only revitalized interest in the game but also served as the decisive move that escalated her career from rising indie star to certified A-lister.
Since that breakout moment in October 2020, she has leveraged her newfound influence to aggressively diversify her filmography, avoiding typecasting and demonstrating an impressive, almost relentless, commitment to contrasting characters.
The roles she has taken on in the intervening half-decade prove that her success was no accident. She has commanded the screen in major studio franchises, anchored critically acclaimed auteur projects and even lent her voice to beloved animated icons, effectively covering nearly every genre in the book.
Alia Atreides, Dune: Part Two (2024)
A key moment for fans of the franchise, Taylor-Joy’s uncredited cameo as Paul Atreides’ fully-conscious, unborn sister proved her status in Hollywood. While brief, her role in the vision sequence was a powerful piece of casting that cemented her place in one of the most prestigious current science fiction sagas, ensuring a major presence in future installments.
Drasa, The Gorge (2025)
Released in 2025 on Apple TV+, Taylor-Joy’s role as Drasa, one of two elite operatives guarding a mysterious gorge, was a compelling pivot to high-concept sci-fi action. Her performance in this intense, physically demanding thriller further solidified her versatility and ability to lead major studio genre projects.
Princess Peach (Voice), The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
This role proved her versatility and commercial muscle outside of live-action drama. Her vocal performance as the iconic Nintendo princess gave the character a modern makeover, imbuing Peach with confidence, competence, and a subtle touch of dry wit that was crucial to the animated blockbuster’s success.
Libby Voze, Amsterdam (2022)
In David O. Russell’s ambitious period mystery, Taylor-Joy excelled as one half of the calculating and wealthy Voze couple. Her portrayal of a sophisticated, high-society manipulator, despite the film’s mixed reception, demonstrated her ease in handling complex dialogue and holding her ground in an ensemble featuring some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Gina Gray, Peaky Blinders (2019-2022)
Continuing her turn as a character established just before her global breakthrough, the final seasons saw Gina Gray grow into a central antagonist. Taylor-Joy’s performance as the sharp, power-hungry New Yorker proved her ability to join a well-established, beloved series and hold the dramatic weight against a star like Cillian Murphy.
Olga of the Birch Forest, The Northman (2022)
Reuniting with director Robert Eggers for this Viking epic, Taylor-Joy delivered a compelling performance as the Slavic sorceress allied with Amleth. Her chilling, grounded portrayal provided a necessary sense of the otherworldly and acted as a powerful spiritual anchor in the brutal, visually stunning revenge saga.
Sandie, Last Night in Soho (2021)
In Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Taylor-Joy was a vivid focal point as Sandie, the ambitious 1960s singer whose bright dreams curdle into tragedy. Her stunning musical numbers and nuanced acting captured a tragic descent, serving as the emotional core of a film that blended psychological horror and period tribute.
Casey Cooke, Split and Glass (2016, 2019)
This role, which preceded The Queen’s Gambit but defined her early mainstream appeal, cemented her status as a compelling thriller lead. As the quietly resourceful kidnapping victim in M. Night Shyamalan’s trilogy, her performance was crucial in grounding the fantastical elements of the story, with her reserved strength making her a memorable cinematic survivor.
Margot, The Menu (2022)
Taylor-Joy delivered a career highlight as the skeptical guest at a terrifying high-end restaurant. Her character, Margot, served as the audience’s sharp-tongued, grounded entry point into the black comedy and horror, with her fierce intelligence and lack of pretension making her the perfect, unyielding moral foil to Ralph Fiennes’ mad chef.
Furiosa, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Taking on the mammoth task of playing a younger Imperator Furiosa—a role defined by Charlize Theron—became her defining post-Gambit performance. Her intense, often silent portrayal of the warrior’s traumatic origin story was an exercise in physical and emotional storytelling, solidifying her status as a global action lead capable of anchoring a sprawling, violent franchise.