Anya Taylor-Joy shares what she wants to see in The Queen’s Gambit season 2

Anya Taylor-Joy says a possible second season of The Queen’s Gambit could explore Beth Harmon as a mother

Anya Taylor-Joy has shared her thoughts on what direction The Queen’s Gambit could take if Netflix ever decides to produce a second season.

While the hit miniseries was originally conceived as a one-season story, the actress said there may still be room to explore Beth Harmon’s life beyond the show’s ending.

Speaking to Deadline, Taylor-Joy said she would be interested in seeing how Beth might navigate motherhood in a potential continuation. According to the actress, this phase of Beth’s life would take place after she has achieved sobriety and become more aware of the personal struggles that once defined her. Taylor-Joy suggested that motherhood could challenge Beth in a new way, forcing her to balance responsibility for another person with the intense drive that fueled her rise as a chess prodigy.

Taylor-Joy described Beth’s childhood in the orphanage as a major influence on her singular focus and emotional detachment. That tunnel vision, she explained, helped Beth succeed professionally but also isolated her socially. A second season, she noted, could explore how Beth’s biggest challenge remains herself, while reinforcing the show’s broader message that even the most brilliant individuals need support.

Despite fan interest, Taylor-Joy clarified that a second season was never discussed during production with series creator Scott Frank. She acknowledged that while the demand is “surreal and wonderful,” the story was designed to conclude as a limited series, adding that anything beyond that would be unexpected.

The Queen’s Gambit premiered on Netflix in 2020 and quickly became a global phenomenon, earning Taylor-Joy a Golden Globe Award and widespread critical acclaim. The series went on to become Netflix’s most-watched limited series until it was surpassed in 2025. While Beth Harmon’s future remains uncertain, both Taylor-Joy and Frank continue to collaborate with Netflix on separate upcoming projects.