Anya Taylor-Joy returns to a familiar setting this summer. The desert becomes her battlefield again as she stars in ‘Lucky,’ a crime thriller from Apple TV. She previously faced similar challenges in ‘Furiosa’ and ‘Dune: Part Three.’ This time, she’s under the California sun, engaging in combat with criminal henchmen.
‘I’ve been to the desert so many times at this point; it’s kind of unreal. I don’t look like a desert creature, yet I keep finding myself there and loving it,’ says Taylor-Joy. ‘People enjoy watching me struggle and survive, which I also enjoy doing.’
In ‘Lucky,’ Taylor-Joy is the protagonist in an adaptation of Marissa Stapley’s novel. The story follows a con artist waking up to betrayal, leading to a frantic escape. With the FBI and a relentless crime boss chasing her over a missing $10 million, she navigates a perilous situation. Her father, who shaped her criminal instincts, offers limited help as he resides behind bars, providing guidance only through phone calls.
With the series premiere set for Wednesday, viewers will see Lucky’s resilience right from the start. In the first episode, she escapes from a car trunk, using a screwdriver to defend herself. This survival ordeal unfolds dramatically in the desert.
Executive producer Lauren Neustadter remarks, ‘Lucky is at a crossroads. She must chart her own path, decide the life she wants to lead, and evolve.’
The crime thriller series also features Annette Bening, Drew Starkey, and Timothy Olyphant. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor appears as an FBI agent. The series presents a compelling journey for Lucky, evolving from a conniving figure to someone questioning her choices.
An engaging soundtrack accompanies Lucky’s journey, including a theme song by Fiona Apple and pieces by Sleater-Kinney and Siouxsie Sioux. Bening plays a mob leader torn between protecting her son and confronting a violent boss and former lover.
Bening explains, ‘She is both a victim and an abuser, making her intriguing. The writing was impressive, and playing such a complex character was enticing.’
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company initially approached Taylor-Joy for her role. They suggested not only starring but also producing the series.
Taylor-Joy shares, ‘I hoped to love the book, and I did. I fell for Lucky and felt compelled to contribute as an executive producer.’
The creative team includes Jonathan Tropper and Cassie Pappas, integrating crime thriller elements with family drama. The narrative explores themes of family influence versus personal change.
Pappas mentions the impact of family on identity and the possibility of altering one’s trajectory. Tropper points out the perilous stakes, as Lucky’s self-discovery may threaten her life.
Lucky’s upbringing involved grifting with her father, using deceptive tactics to procure funds. Now, on the run, she relies on these skills to survive while dreaming of a better future.
‘We all wrestle with our past and the constraints from our upbringing,’ says Tropper. ‘Lucky’s journey embraces greater stakes—her quest could endanger her life.’
Beyond starring in action scenes, Taylor-Joy actively participated in decision-making processes off-camera, influencing casting and production elements.
Reflecting on the experience, she shares, ‘We had a fantastic time creating this, and that enthusiasm translates onscreen, despite the violent confrontations.’