Anya Taylor-Joy Stars in New Apple TV Crime Thriller ‘Lucky’

Anya Taylor-Joy finds herself once again facing a survival challenge in the desert. This time, she’s starring in ‘Lucky,’ an Apple TV crime thriller, after her roles in ‘Furiosa’ and the upcoming ‘Dune: Part Three.’

Set under the scorching California sun, Taylor-Joy engages in intense action sequences, confronting adversaries with remarkable tenacity. ‘I’ve been to the desert so many times at this point it’s unreal,’ she shared. Despite not fitting the typical desert image, she thrives in these settings, and audiences enjoy watching her overcome obstacles.

In her latest role, Taylor-Joy plays the lead character in a story adapted from Marissa Stapley’s novel. The plot revolves around a con artist betrayed by a close ally, forcing her to flee from both the FBI and a crime boss. The character’s father, played by Timothy Olyphant, remains behind bars, offering limited assistance.

Executive producer Lauren Neustadter highlights the character’s journey: ‘She’s at an inflection point, having to chart her own course and decide how she wants to live her life.’ This evolution sees Lucky transition from focusing solely on cons to contemplating her future.

The series, featuring Annette Bening, Drew Starkey, and Timothy Olyphant, maintains a female-centric soundtrack, including a theme song by Fiona Apple and music by Sleater-Kinney and Siouxsie Sioux.

Bening portrays a multifaceted mob leader navigating familial and criminal tensions. Her character’s complexity appealed to Bening, who found the writing compelling, describing the role as an abused woman and abuser.

Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company extended an offer to Taylor-Joy, not only to lead the series but also to enter the executive production realm. Taylor-Joy embraced the chance after reading and loving Stapley’s novel.

Created by Jonathan Tropper with Cassie Pappas, ‘Lucky’ is more than a crime thriller; it’s a family drama exploring the influence of familial ties and the possibility of forging a new path. Pappas explores how much family determines one’s identity versus the potential for change.

Lucky’s grifting skills, taught by her father, become crucial for her survival. Despite her criminal upbringing, she longs for a better future. Tropper discusses her struggle against her past and the life-threatening stakes involved.

Beyond her performance, Taylor-Joy contributed to casting and production decisions. ‘We had a wonderful time making it,’ she notes, despite the intense scenes portrayed on screen.