She captivated fans with her acting as the chess prodigy Beth Harmon on the popular Netflix show, The Queen’s Gambit.
And Anya Taylor-Joy talked about her new success since the series, explaining that she ‘never experienced’ anything like it before.
Appearing on Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show via video link, the actress, 24, described seeing her face on a ‘giant billboard’ for the first time.
‘It was awesome’: appearing on Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show, Anya Taylor-Joy said she ‘never experienced’ anything like her new hit before
She admitted that after seeing herself in the huge advertisement in Los Angeles, she had to ‘go away’ because she thought the shock of it all was ‘too much’.
She explained: ‘After the quarantine, I still had jet lag, so I went for a walk at four in the morning and ended up on Sunset Boulevard and there was a giant billboard on my face.
‘I had never experienced this before in my life and I promptly turned around and left because it was too much.’
The Netflix show won over fans both among chess professionals, for the authenticity of the game’s strategies, and among fashionistas, for its stunning sixties style.
Success: The Queen’s Gambit star, 24, described seeing her face on a ‘giant billboard’ for the first time, saying he had to ‘go away’ because she thought the shock of it all was ‘too much’
When asked by Graham, 57, why she thinks The Queen’s Gambit has been so successful, Anya said she thinks this is due to Beth’s “passion” for chess.
She continued: ‘I think there are a few different things. It is a story of redemption and it is good to know that you can overcome your demons in this way, but also the passion is just exciting.
‘When you see how she (Beth) is passionate about chess, it just attracts him. And it’s very beautiful to see. ‘
Emma’s star also revealed that she watched a series of The Great British Bake Off a lot while filming the Netflix show.
Speaking to former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, who also appeared as a guest on the chat show, she explained that she “stuck” to the cooking show because being Beth was an “intense experience”.
Chess: Gambito da Rainha won over dedicated fans, both among chess professionals, for the authenticity of the game’s strategies, and for the fashionistas, for its impressive 60’s style
Feeling touched by Mel, 52, Anya said: ‘Being in Beth’s head all the time was a very intense experience and I had never seen Bake Off before, so I clung to him all the time – I watched from the beginning, you were there with me the whole time. ‘
Last month, Anya revealed that she was delighted to meet Harry Potter favorite Harry Melling on the set of a chess series for the first time.
British actor Harry, 31, is seen at The Queen’s Gambit as Harry Beltik, a friend and one of the chess contestants for Anya’s character, Beth ‘Harmon, in Kentucky.
However, Anya admitted that she experienced her own fan moment when she met Harry, thanks to his role as Harry Potter’s spoiled cousin, Duda Dursley.
In an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she admitted leaving a few minutes before letting Harry know what a big fan she was.
Acclaim: When asked by Graham, 57, why she thinks the Queen’s Gambito has been so successful, Anya said she thinks this is due to her character Beth’s ‘passion’ for chess
She said: ‘I timed correctly, which is not in the first 10 minutes, but not exceeding 10 minutes …
‘You have to get this out of the way … [otherwise] it gets weird and then you hide something from them. So it’s better to just get that out of the way. ‘
Anya recently revealed that “certainly” would make a second season of Netflix’s hit show, The Queen’s Gambit, based on a book by American writer Walter Tevis.
In the first season, the actress played Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy and Kentucky orphan whose genius is never in doubt.
Speaking to Town & Country, Anya said: ‘If I learned anything from being in this industry, never say never.
Fan-girl: Last month, Anya revealed that she was delighted to meet Harry Potter favorite Harry Melling on the set of a chess series for the first time
‘I love the character and would certainly come back if asked, but I think we left Beth in a good place.
‘I think the rest of her life will certainly be an adventure too, but in her quest to find some form of peace, just a way to be able to be happy with who she is. I think it ends in a good place. ‘
The Queen’s Gambito is one of the oldest known chess openings and is the movement used by Beth at the conclusion of the seven-part series.
Anya was joined by Regina King, Jimmy Fallon, Olly Alexander, Mel Giedroyc and Yungblud on the Graham Norton Show.
The Graham Norton Show will air on Friday at 10:45 pm on BBC One and all episodes are available on the BBC iPlayer.
Returning? Anya recently revealed that “surely” would make a second season of Netflix’s hit show, The Queen’s Gambit, based on a book by American writer Walter Tevis