Anya Taylor-Joy Stars in Desert Thriller ‘Lucky’

Anya Taylor-Joy returns to the desert this summer, a familiar setting for her roles, as she stars in ‘Lucky,’ an Apple TV crime thriller. Previously known for her roles in ‘Furiosa’ and ‘Dune: Part Three,’ Taylor-Joy embraces the challenge of this environment. ‘I’ve been to the desert so many times, it’s kind of unreal,’ she says. ‘People like to see me struggle and survive, and I enjoy doing it.’

In ‘Lucky,’ Taylor-Joy portrays a con artist who wakes up in a hotel room to discover a betrayal by a close ally. She finds herself pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss over $10 million. Her father, a key influence in her life, is now in prison and offers limited help via phone. According to executive producer Lauren Neustadter, the show captures Lucky at a pivotal moment, deciding how she wants to live her life.

Timothy Olyphant plays Lucky’s father, while Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor appears as an FBI agent. The seven-episode series, premiering Wednesday, showcases Lucky’s evolution from a con-centric life to facing life’s deeper questions. ‘Where will that go? How will she evolve?’ Neustadter asks, emphasizing the show’s special nature.

Annette Bening portrays a mob leader torn between saving her son and facing off against her brutal boss. ‘She’s an abused woman and also an abuser,’ Bening explains. ‘I was drawn to the writing and wanted to explore this sociopathic character.’

Taylor-Joy also debuts as an executive producer, joining the series under Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company. ‘I hoped to like the book and fell in love with Lucky,’ Taylor-Joy shares. ‘I felt I had something valuable to contribute as an executive producer.’

Created by Jonathan Tropper and co-written with Cassie Pappas, the show blends crime thriller elements with family drama. ‘How much does family affect you versus breaking that path?’ Pappas ponders, highlighting the show’s themes.

Having grown up grifting with her father, Lucky’s survival depends on her con skills while yearning for a better life. ‘We all deal with the baggage of our past,’ says Tropper. ‘For Lucky, finding herself could get her killed.’

Beyond acting, Taylor-Joy contributed to casting and advising on the show’s visual and auditory style. ‘We had a wonderful time making it,’ she says, adding depth to her off-screen influence.