Anya Taylor-Joy
The story of a good-hearted but naive young woman meddling in the romantic affairs of her friends has been a longtime stalwart for moviemakers, with multiple versions having graced both screens and TVs. And if the latest take on Austen’s 1815 novel Emma is any indication, the trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Taking the reigns as director is Autumn de Wilde, who nailed the light and frothy tone of the film that opened on Feb. 14 and is sure to please fans of the original book and its countless adaptations.
anya taylor-joy stars as the eponymous Emma Woodhouse, who meddles in her friends’ love lives to play matchmaker. The film has already garnered a host of critical praise, including a Golden Globe nomination for Taylor-Joy. But the actress isn’t just any movie star — she’s also an accomplished author with a storied background in music photography and directing visually sumptuous commercials for brands like Uniqlo and Prada. In an interview with Variety, she shares how she knew that her path would eventually lead to acting and how she learned her craft from the best in the business.
Having first gained acclaim for her performances in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2017 box-office hit Split, and the following year’s dark funny Thoroughbreds, Taylor-Joy made the move to Hollywood where she landed a role in the big budget reboot of Unbreakable, alongside James McAvoy and Samuel L. Jackson. From there, she’s been a force to be reckoned with, with roles in The Witch, Glass and Split 2.
Anya Taylor-Joy Stars alongside Which Actor in Emma?
But it was the opportunity to work with Jane Austen that brought her to the attention of Working Title, which was behind the film. The studio was impressed with Taylor-Joy’s “natural charm, warmth and wit,” and the rest is history.
The film assembles a talented cast of British stars, including Miranda Hart as boorish Miss Bates, whom Emma thoughtlessly mocks, Mia Goth as orphaned friend Harriet Smith, and Callum Turner as the dashing Mr. Churchill, who’s a cad we’re not supposed to want Emma to marry. Josh O’Connor rounds out the ensemble as a bumbling minister.
In the landscape of contemporary cinema, few names have ignited as much intrigue and admiration as that of Anya Taylor-Joy. With her arresting features, magnetic presence, and formidable acting prowess, Taylor-Joy has swiftly ascended to the upper echelons of Hollywood’s elite. Born on April 16, 1996, in Miami, Florida, to an eclectic blend of ancestry, her Scottish-Argentinian father and Spanish-English mother gifted her not only with striking looks but also a rich tapestry of cultural influences that would shape her artistry.
Taylor-Joy’s journey to cinematic stardom began with a seismic impact, marked by her breakthrough role in Robert Eggers’ chilling masterpiece, “The Witch” (2015). In this atmospheric horror film set in 17th-century New England, she portrays Thomasin, a young Puritan girl whose family is plagued by supernatural forces. Taylor-Joy’s performance was nothing short of revelatory, earning her widespread acclaim and establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
But the real star of Emma is Taylor-Joy. Her performance is playful, touching and utterly convincing. She has a natural flair for comedy, and is able to convey the character’s naiveté without it ever feeling cheap or vulgar. Whether it’s her playful quips or her teasing stare, she’s a delight as the young Emma who loves to manipulate others in order to get what she wants.
