Anya Taylor-Joy Takes the Lead in Apple’s Crime Thriller ‘Lucky’

Under the scorching California sun, Anya Taylor-Joy returns to a familiar setting—deserts and danger. Known for past roles in ‘Furiosa’ and ‘Dune: Part Three,’ she now stars in Apple TV’s crime thriller, ‘Lucky.’ This intense series requires her to fight for survival amidst relentless adversaries.

“I’ve spent so much time in the desert that it’s almost surreal,” Taylor-Joy says. Despite her ethereal appearance, she thrives in these challenging environments. “People enjoy watching me in survival mode, and I love performing it,” she adds.

Taylor-Joy portrays the title character, a con artist from Marissa Stapley’s novel. Awakening in a hotel, she discovers betrayal by a close ally. A $10 million quest ensues with the FBI and a merciless crime boss in pursuit. Her imprisoned father, having raised her in crime, offers limited phone support.

“She’s at a pivotal moment,” says executive producer Lauren Neustadter. “She’s deciding her life’s direction.” This evolution drives the show’s special appeal. Timothy Olyphant appears as her father, while Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor plays an FBI agent.

The seven-episode series, premiering Wednesday, opens with intense scenes. Lucky fights from a car trunk and defends herself with a screwdriver. “How can such a small person cause so much trouble?” a villain wonders.

Co-stars include Annette Bening, Drew Starkey, and Timothy Olyphant. The soundtrack features a theme by Fiona Apple and tracks from Sleater-Kinney and Siouxsie Sioux. Bening’s role, a mob leader, reveals complex layers. “She’s an abuser who’s also abused,” Bening describes. She found the nuanced writing compelling.

Reese Witherspoon’s media firm, Hello Sunshine, extended the project to Taylor-Joy, offering her an executive producer role. “I hoped to love the book,” Taylor-Joy recalls. Falling for the story, she enthusiastically joined. “I knew I could contribute as an executive producer,” she explains.

Created by Jonathan Tropper and Cassie Pappas, ‘Lucky’ is a crime series intertwined with family drama. Lucky must decide if a different life is possible. “We’re drawn to the theme of family influence versus self-determination,” Pappas mentions.

Lucky’s history of scams and cons with her father gifts her survival skills. “She navigates complex familial legacies with life-threatening consequences,” says Tropper. While overcoming personal pasts, her stakes are fatally high.

Beyond battling onscreen, Taylor-Joy shaped the series creatively. “From casting to aesthetics, I contributed to the entire production,” she notes. Her joy in creation, coupled with the chaotic plot, transcends to viewers’ screens.