Anya Taylor-Joy returns to the small screen in Netflix’s newest limited series Lucky, a sleek, fast-paced six-episode crime thriller that has quickly climbed the global charts since its January 2026 premiere. Created by British writer Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, The Accident) and directed by Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant), Lucky showcases Taylor-Joy in her most grounded and layered role to date — a brilliant but morally compromised professional gambler who gets pulled into a dangerous high-stakes heist that could cost her everything.
The story follows Lucky (Taylor-Joy), a former card-counting prodigy who now runs underground poker games in London’s hidden elite circles. When a mysterious billionaire (Cillian Murphy) offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — infiltrate a private, invitation-only tournament in Monaco where the buy-in is $50 million and the winner takes the entire pot — she sees a chance to retire forever. But the tournament is rigged, the players are deadly, and the real prize isn’t money — it’s a priceless artifact that could change the balance of power in the criminal underworld.
Taylor-Joy is magnetic as Lucky — cool under pressure, razor-sharp at the table, but quietly unraveling as the game forces her to confront the cost of her choices. Her performance is a masterclass in restraint and intensity; every subtle glance at her cards, every calculated bluff, every flicker of fear or triumph feels earned. Murphy is equally compelling as the enigmatic Mr. Voss, a man whose charm masks a ruthless intellect. The supporting cast shines: Olivia Colman as Lucky’s former mentor turned reluctant ally, Riz Ahmed as a rival player with his own agenda, and Harris Dickinson as a young, idealistic hacker who becomes Lucky’s unexpected partner in crime.
The series is visually stunning. London’s underground poker rooms are lit in moody neon and velvet shadows, while the Monaco finale unfolds in a sprawling seaside villa with panoramic Mediterranean views. The poker sequences are tense and realistic — no slow-motion card flips or over-the-top tells, just sharp editing, close-ups on trembling hands, and the quiet sound of chips stacking that feels louder than any explosion. The soundtrack, featuring original compositions by Hildur Guðnadóttir, mixes pulsing electronic beats with haunting strings to mirror Lucky’s growing paranoia.
Critics have been effusive. Variety called it “a stylish, sophisticated thriller that feels like Casino Royale meets The Queen’s Gambit — but darker and more personal,” while The Guardian praised Taylor-Joy’s “mesmerizing performance that carries the entire show.” With a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong audience buzz, viewers are binge-watching in single sittings, posting reactions like “Anya Taylor-Joy is unstoppable” and “I couldn’t look away — the tension is suffocating.”
The series also explores deeper themes: addiction (to risk, to winning, to the adrenaline of the game), the cost of ambition, and the moral compromises people make when the stakes become life-or-death. Lucky isn’t a traditional hero — she’s flawed, selfish at times, and willing to bend rules — but her journey is compelling because it feels real.
All six episodes are now streaming on Netflix. If you’re looking for a smart, stylish thriller with powerhouse performances, high-stakes tension, and a lead performance that will stay with you long after the final card is played, Lucky is the one to watch.
Clear your schedule. Once you start, folding is not an option.
