Anya Taylor-Joy seemingly confirms the future of one of her most beloved projects.
The Queen’s Gambit hit Netflix in 2020, starring Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy from childhood who rises to become a world champion while facing personal challenges, including those resulting from her fame. The Queen’s Gambit was still dominating streaming data in 2023, while also being critically acclaimed with a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Thus, people would instantly gravitate towards a second season.
But in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Taylor-Joy shuts down the possibility. When asked about the follow-up fans are still hoping for, the star responded: “You know what, I think it’s so beautiful as it is. I feel like it’s currently in a situation where like, if we added anything to it, it might take away from it. So I think that story is like very nicely wrapped up with a bow.”
The Queen’s Gambit is an effective standalone miniseries that tells a complete story. The Queen’s Gambit’s ending sees Beth, after reckoning with personal tragedy and adopting a healthier lifestyle, traveling to Russia to win the match that will make her a Chess Grandmaster. She is victorious and at peace as she stops by a park in Moscow to play chess with a group of older men.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth looking serious in The Queen’s Gambit
Despite ongoing discussion surrounding The Queen’s Gambit season 2, many agree that the series is perfect. Thus, Taylor-Joy is right that producing a continuation risks ruining what they already made. Taylor-Joy is also busy, having gone on to star in Last Night in Soho, The Northman, The Menu, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Furiousa: A Mad Max Saga, and Dune: Part Two since 2020.
Taylor-Joy is also confirmed to be in Dune: Part Three and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. While she has relatively few confirmed upcoming projects right now, that could easily change in an instant. The Queen’s Gambit’s cast features other popular or rising stars, including Thomas Brodie-Sangster (The Artful Dodger), Moses Ingram (A House of Dynamite), and Harry Melling (Pillion).
Netflix was able to deliver a remarkable original miniseries, which the cast and crew are evidently proud of. While it is possible to continue Beth’s story in the years after becoming a Grandmaster, with new chess champions arising to challenge her, it is simply not necessary. With so many continuations in modern entertainment, The Queen’s Gambit’s creatives investing in new projects is also needed.
All episodes of The Queen’s Gambit can be streamed on Netflix.
Release Date
2020 – 2020-00-00
Showrunner
Scott Frank
Directors
Scott Frank
