Anya Taylor-Joy Biography, Age 29, Height, Husband, Movies, Net Worth in 2026

Anya Taylor-Joy is an award-winning American-born British-Argentine actress best known for starring in The Queen’s Gambit, Emma, Last Night in Soho, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Famous for her striking eyes, flawless accent work, and fearless role choices, she has become one of the most sought-after film stars in Hollywood and London.

This Anya Taylor-Joy biography covers her age, height, weight, family, husband, career journey, movies and TV shows, awards, net worth, and recent activity in 2026.

Quick Facts

If you follow young Hollywood stars like Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Margot Robbie, Sydney Sweeney, Mia Goth, and Jenna Ortega, you will love Anya Taylor-Joy. Like her peers, she moved from indie films to global blockbusters, fashion campaigns for Dior and Tiffany & Co., and major magazine covers, making her one of the defining actresses of her generation.

Early Life & Education

Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy was born on April 16, 1996, in Miami, Florida, USA. She is the youngest of six children. Her father, Dennis Taylor, is a Scottish-Argentine former international banker who became a motorboat powerboat racer, and her mother, Jennifer Marina Joy, is a Spanish-English psychologist who worked in fashion design. Because of her birth in Miami during a family trip, she holds American citizenship alongside British and Argentine citizenship.

When she was an infant, the family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she spent her early childhood speaking only Spanish. At age six, the family relocated to London, England, for political and educational reasons. The move was difficult for her. She refused to learn English at first, hoping her parents would move back to Argentina, and she struggled to fit in at school.

Taylor-Joy attended Hill House Preparatory School in Chelsea and later Northlands School in Argentina during visits, then Bedales School in Hampshire. She was bullied for being different and spent much of her time reading, writing, and training in ballet. She trained intensively as a ballet dancer until age 15 and dreamed of becoming a dancer before an injury and growth spurt changed her path.

At 14, while walking outside Harrods in London wearing her school uniform, she was scouted by Storm Model Management founder Sarah Doukas, the same scout who discovered Kate Moss. She signed as a model but always wanted to act. At 16, she left school to pursue acting full-time, citing a strong belief in her future. Her parents supported the decision after she promised to keep educating herself through books and life experience.

Career Journey and Recent Activity in 2026

The Anya Taylor-Joy career story is one of fast growth, smart choices, and standout performances across horror, drama, period films, and action blockbusters.

Beginnings: Modeling and Small TV Roles (2013-2014)

After signing with Storm, Taylor-Joy appeared in music videos and commercials while auditioning for acting roles. Her first acting credit was a small role as Philippa Collins-Davidson in an episode of Endeavour in 2014. The same year she played Lady Macbeth’s attendant in Viking Quest and booked a role in Atlantis. She almost quit after early rejections, but her persistence paid off when casting director Nina Gold saw her tape.

Breakthrough with The Witch and Split (2015-2016)

Her life changed with Robert Eggers’ folk-horror film The Witch (2015). Cast at age 18 as Thomasin, a Puritan girl accused of witchcraft, she earned praise at the Sundance Film Festival for her intense, natural performance. The film became a cult hit and earned her a Gotham Award nomination and an Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer.

In 2016, she starred as Casey Cooke opposite James McAvoy in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split. The thriller grossed over $278 million worldwide and proved she could lead a mainstream film. That same year she appeared in Morgan, Barry as a young Michelle Obama friend, and the BBC miniseries The Miniaturist.

Rising Star: Peaky Blinders, Emma and The Queen’s Gambit (2017-2020)

From 2017 to 2019, Taylor-Joy balanced indie films and television. She reprised her role in Glass (2019), played Gina Gray in seasons 5 and 6 of Peaky Blinders, starred in Thoroughbreds, Marrowbone, and voiced Brea in Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

In 2020, she headlined Autumn de Wilde’s Emma as Emma Woodhouse, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy. Months later, she became a global star as chess prodigy Beth Harmon in Netflix’s limited series The Queen’s Gambit. The series was watched by 62 million households in its first month, became Netflix’s most-watched limited series at the time, and sparked a worldwide surge in chess set sales. She won the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and SAG Award for the role and earned an Emmy nomination.

Hollywood Leading Lady (2021-2023)

After The Queen’s Gambit, she headlined Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho (2021), Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman (2022) with Alexander Skarsgard and Nicole Kidman, and David O. Russell’s Amsterdam (2022). She also starred in The Menu (2022) opposite Ralph Fiennes, which grossed over $79 million and earned her another Golden Globe nomination.

She voiced Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which earned over $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing animated films ever. She also made a surprise cameo as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two (2024).

Furiosa, Blockbusters and Recent Activity in 2026

In 2024, Taylor-Joy took over the role of young Imperator Furiosa from Charlize Theron in George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga opposite Chris Hemsworth. She learned to drive monster trucks, performed many of her own stunts, and shaved her head partially for the role. The film premiered at Cannes to a standing ovation and cemented her status as an action star.

As of 2026, Anya Taylor-Joy remains one of the busiest actresses in the industry. Her recent activity includes:

• The Gorge (2025): Apple TV+ sci-fi action romance with Miles Teller, where she plays elite sniper Drasa. It became one of Apple’s most-watched films.
• Dune: Part Three (2026): Returning in a much larger role as Alia Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s third Dune film, currently in post-production for a December 2026 release.
• How to Kill Your Family (2026): Leading Netflix’s 8-part adaptation of Bella Mackie’s bestselling novel as Grace Bernard, also serving as executive producer.
• Lucky (Upcoming): Co-starring with Annette Bening in a limited series adaptation.
• Fashion and Brand Work in 2026: Continuing as global ambassador for Dior and Tiffany & Co., fronting spring 2026 campaigns and attending Paris Fashion Week.

In early 2026, she also presented at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs and attended the Dune: Part Three press tour in London, Abu Dhabi, and Los Angeles. Industry reports in 2026 list her among the top 10 most in-demand actresses under 30 for franchise and prestige films.

Anya Taylor-Joy Movies and TV Shows List

Here is a selected list of her major film and television credits:

Personal Life

Anya Taylor-Joy is known for keeping her private life quiet while sharing glimpses of her marriage, family bonds, and creative passions.

Husband and Marriage

Anya Taylor-Joy is married to American musician and actor Malcolm McRae, frontman of the band More. The couple met in 2021 and kept their relationship largely private. They married in a courthouse ceremony in New Orleans in July 2022, followed by a lavish second wedding in Venice, Italy, in September 2023 attended by Cara Delevingne, Julia Garner, and Nicholas Hoult.

In interviews through 2025 and 2026, she has described McRae as her best friend and said they read together every night. The couple splits time between London, Los Angeles, and New York. As of September 2026, they do not have children.

Family

• Father: Dennis Taylor – Scottish-Argentine businessman and former powerboat racer
• Mother: Jennifer Marina Joy – Spanish-English psychologist and designer
• Siblings: Five older half-siblings from her parents’ previous marriages, with whom she is very close
• Extended Roots: Argentine, Spanish, English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry; fluent in Spanish and English

Dating History

Before her marriage, Taylor-Joy was linked to Irish actor Eoin Macken in 2016 after they worked together, and later to photographer Ben Seed. She has never publicly confirmed long-term relationships before McRae and prefers not to discuss past dating in detail.

Hobbies, Interests and Community Work

Outside acting, she loves ballet, reading classic literature, playing chess after The Queen’s Gambit, writing poetry, and collecting vintage clothes. She supports women’s education charities, cancer research, and environmental causes. She has worked with the British Red Cross and participated in Dior’s women empowerment programs. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about anxiety and bullying in school.

Awards & Achievements

• Golden Globe Awards: Winner Best Actress Limited Series for The Queen’s Gambit (2021); Nominee for Emma (2021) and The Menu (2023)
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Winner Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries for The Queen’s Gambit (2021)
• Critics’ Choice Awards: Winner Best Actress in a Limited Series for The Queen’s Gambit (2021)
• Primetime Emmy Awards: Nominee Outstanding Lead Actress for The Queen’s Gambit (2021)
• BAFTA: Nominee EE Rising Star Award (2017); Nominee Best Actress for The Queen’s Gambit related longlists
• Cannes Film Festival: Trophée Chopard for Female Revelation (2017)
• Empire Awards: Best Female Newcomer for The Witch (2016)
• Saturn Awards: Nominee for Last Night in Soho and The Menu
• Time 100 Next List (2021): Named one of the world’s most influential rising stars
• Forbes 30 Under 30: Featured in Hollywood category

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I think that as an actor, you have to be very open. You have to be very vulnerable and you have to be very brave.”

“I was not popular at school. I cried a lot, but I read a lot. Reading was my escape, and it still is.”

“I love characters that feel real, that are flawed and strange and beautiful all at once. I want to play women who demand to be seen.”

Controversies

Anya Taylor-Joy has largely avoided major scandals, but a few moments drew attention:

• SNL Accent Debate (2021): After hosting Saturday Night Live, some viewers debated her British-American accent, but most praised her comedic timing.
• Furiosa Pay and Casting Debate (2023-2024): Some fans questioned recasting a younger Furiosa instead of using Charlize Theron, though director George Miller defended the choice and Taylor-Joy won over critics.
• Private Wedding Photos Leak (2023): Paparazzi photos from her Venice wedding sparked a discussion about celebrity privacy, which she addressed by asking for respect.
• AI Likeness Concerns (2024): Like many actors, she supported SAG-AFTRA protections against unauthorized AI use of actors’ faces and voices.

None of these controversies harmed her reputation, and she is widely viewed as professional and grounded.

Favorites

• Favorite Food: Argentine empanadas, pasta, and dark chocolate
• Favorite Drink: Earl Grey tea
• Favorite Films: The Labyrinth, Amélie, The Red Shoes
• Favorite Actors: Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron
• Favorite Book: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Harry Potter series
• Favorite Fashion Brand: Dior, vintage Chanel
• Favorite Music: Classical ballet scores, rock, her husband’s band More
• Favorite Destination: Buenos Aires, Venice, Scottish Highlands
• Favorite Hobby: Reading, ballet, chess

Earnings and Net Worth in 2026

Anya Taylor-Joy net worth in 2026 is estimated at $12 million to $14 million, according to entertainment finance reports and industry benchmarks. Her wealth has grown steadily since The Queen’s Gambit raised her salary from low six figures per episode to over $1 million per major film role by 2024-2026.

Her income sources include:

• Film Salaries: Reported $1.2M – $1.8M for Furiosa, around $1M for The Gorge, plus backend bonuses for Dune: Part Two and The Super Mario Bros. Movie
• TV and Streaming: Estimated $500,000 – $800,000 per episode for Netflix’s How to Kill Your Family as lead and executive producer in 2026
• Endorsements: Multi-million dollar contracts with Dior (face of makeup and fashion since 2021), Tiffany & Co., and Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Voice Work and Residuals: Ongoing royalties from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peaky Blinders, and The Queen’s Gambit streaming

She owns property in London and Los Angeles and is known for investing in art and vintage fashion rather than flashy cars. Compared to peers like Zendaya and Florence Pugh, her net worth is still rising, with experts predicting it could double by 2028 if Dune: Part Three and her Netflix series perform strongly in 2026 and 2027.

Interesting Facts

• She was born in Miami only because her parents were visiting; she lived there for just a short time before moving to Argentina.
• Her first language was Spanish, and she did not speak English until age eight after moving to London.
• She was scouted as a model at 14 outside Harrods while walking her dog.
• She learned to play chess for The Queen’s Gambit and can now beat most casual players.
• She did ballet for over a decade and says it taught her discipline for action roles like Furiosa.
• She can do multiple accents perfectly, including American, RP British, Irish, and Argentine Spanish.
• She shaved part of her head and learned to drift-drive war rigs for Furiosa.
• She is a huge Harry Potter fan and once said she would love to play Bellatrix Lestrange.

Did You Know Already?

• Did you know Anya Taylor-Joy holds three passports – American, British, and Argentine?
• Did you know she dropped out of school at 16 to act, against her teachers’ advice?
• Did you know The Queen’s Gambit made chess board sales triple in the US in 2020?
• Did you know she voiced Princess Peach without ever having played Mario growing up?
• Did you know she and her husband Malcolm McRae wrote songs together during lockdown?

Social Media Links

Follow Anya Taylor-Joy on her official verified accounts for 2026 updates:

• Instagram: @anyataylorjoy – 10M+ followers, fashion, films, personal photos
• X (Twitter): @anyataylorjoy – official updates and press
• Facebook: Anya Taylor-Joy – official page
• TikTok Fan Clips: No official personal TikTok as of 2026; beware of fan accounts
• IMDb: Anya Taylor-Joy on IMDb

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

From a Spanish-speaking child in Buenos Aires to a Golden Globe winner and action star in Hollywood, Anya Taylor-Joy’s journey shows talent, courage, and smart choices. With Dune: Part Three and new Netflix projects in 2026, her star will only keep rising. If you enjoyed this Anya Taylor-Joy biography, please share it with fellow movie fans and leave a comment below.

Key Sources: Vogue Magazine Interviews, Variety Career Profiles, The Guardian Features, Netflix Official Press