Anya Taylor-Joy Reveals the Exact Role That Made Her Feel Like a “Real Actor” for the First Time

Anya Taylor-Joy has shared the moment she felt her career really shifted into something official for her. Even though she had already built a strong start in Hollywood with films like The Witch and Split, she says it was a later opportunity that gave her a different sense of achievement.

In comments reported from an interview with Allure, Taylor-Joy explained that being cast in a BBC period drama had a strong emotional impact on her. She described it as a turning point where she felt she had finally reached a new level in her profession. She said, “Doing BBC period drama is – when I first heard I had the job, I was like, Oh, my gosh, I’m officially an actress. That’s the legitimate thing.”

The actor has a mixed upbringing, spending her childhood between Buenos Aires, Miami, and the UK. That helped her connect with British television culture, especially period dramas, which have long been a major part of BBC programming.

Her first role in that space came with The Miniaturist, a series set in 17th-century Netherlands. She played Petronella, a young woman whose life changes after receiving mysterious miniature objects tied to a dollhouse. The story slowly reveals hidden truths about her marriage and new life.

While the show was well received, it also became a personal milestone for Taylor-Joy. She later went on to appear in Peaky Blinders as Gina Gray, gaining more recognition in British TV drama. She also starred as Emma Woodhouse in the film Emma, and later gained global success with The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

Even after winning awards and landing major roles, Taylor-Joy has said that the early BBC period drama experience still stands out as a key moment in her journey. It gave her a feeling of legitimacy in a way other projects had not at the time.

Her story shows how an actor’s biggest turning point is not always the most famous role, but the one that makes them feel like they truly belong in the industry.

What do you think about her choosing this as her defining moment? Share your thoughts in the comments.