I’d never played a single game of chess before: Anya Taylor-Joy

Actor reacts to success of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ detailing how she prepared for her role

Anya Taylor-Joy feels strongly about her character from the hit Netflix drama, The Queen’s Gambit and based on her latest interview with The Guardian, it’s almost like a love affair.

“Beth is the character I’ve given the most of myself to,” said the 24-year-old actor. “I’m goofier and lighter-hearted than Beth – but we have similar struggles. I was heartbroken when I had to stop playing her,” remarked Taylor-Joy.

Based on the novel by Walter Tevis (author of The Hustler and The Man Who Fell to Earth), The Queen’s Gambit follows an orphan in 1950s Kentucky who becomes a chess prodigy, during which she struggles with drug addiction in her quest to become the world champion.

The series has become the OTT platform’s most-watched amid the lockdown and Taylor-Joy finds its ratings mind-boggling. “I get overwhelmed quite easily,” she laughed telling the outlet. “My brain can’t picture more people than 5,000, so 62 million households having seen it is something I can’t grasp.”

Reminiscing how she prepared herself to play Beth, Taylor-Joy said no real preparation was done. “The second I finished the book, she was there. I just had to set her loose when the time came.” Beth is a flame-haired force of nature that rises from being taught chess by an orphanage janitor to jetting around the world for international tournaments. “I’m too close to her to say she’s a feminist icon but I’m grateful people are taking to her in that way,” she added.

Speaking of, Taylor-Joy recalled one crucial piece of preparation: learning how to play chess. “I’d never played a single game before,” she revealed. “I’m thrilled that my introduction came from such phenomenal teachers and people with such love for the game.”

Former world champion Garry Kasparov and renowned chess coach Bruce Pandolfini acted as consultants to the actor. Both personalities ensured the authenticity that has won approval from aficionados. The show has been credited with sparking resurgence in the game, especially among women. Sales of chess sets have increased tenfold.

“It was important for me to honour the chess community and understand what I was doing,” continued Taylor-Joy. “But I also likened Beth’s passion for chess to my passion for acting. It’s a calling. You answer it. Then you become obsessed and spend the rest of your life figuring out how to get better at it.”

The Queen’s Gambit’s design was also something viewers and design appreciated. The Mad Men-esque interiors and chic mid-60s fashion touched the hearts of plenty. But did Taylor-Joy get to keep any of Beth’s much-coveted clothes?

“Gabriele [Binder, the costume designer] and I collaborated a lot on Beth’s outfits and we became very close. At the end of the shoot, she said: ‘You know, hun, it’s all vintage, so take whatever you want.’ I thought this is incredible, I’m not a big fan of shopping and this means I’ll never have to shop again. But the costumes are currently being exhibited at a museum in Brooklyn,” revealed the actor. This meant she had to wait a few months before getting any clothes at all.

As for the story of the show, Taylor-Joy explained how she felt it was more about overcoming one’s personal demons. “It’s also about coming to peace with yourself so you can open your arms and accept the love and support of others,” she concluded.

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