Anya Taylor-Joy is one of the biggest stars working today. She has played everything from a chess prodigy in The Queen’s Gambit to a warrior in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. But even Oscar-nominated actors have roles they look back on and cringe.
The 29-year-old actress recently sat down with Seth Meyers on Late Night. During the chat, she did not hold back about her time on the hit BBC crime series Peaky Blinders. She admitted that her character, Gina Gray, is the worst she has ever played.
The confession came up when Taylor-Joy talked about her family in Argentina. She explained that Peaky Blinders is a huge show there. Her relatives love it. But her feelings about her own work on the series are very different from theirs.
“I have six siblings, and I’m the youngest. I remember what they’re impressed by. Peaky Blinders is huge in Argentina. That is probably the worst character I’ve ever played. And they love it.”
The honesty surprised many fans. It is rare for an actor to openly call one of their own performances their worst. But for Taylor-Joy, the complicated nature of Gina Gray seems to be the reason.
Who Was Gina Gray in the Series
Taylor-Joy joined the cast of Peaky Blinders in its fifth season. She played Gina Gray, the American wife of Michael Gray (played by Finn Cole). Gina arrived from the United States with big ambitions. She was manipulative, cunning, and determined to take control of the Shelby family’s business.
She was not a hero. She pushed her husband to betray his cousin, Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). Her goal was to seize power and move the illegal operations to the United States. The character appeared in six episodes across seasons five and six.
Even though she was only on screen for a short time, fans remember her. Many viewers actually hated Gina Gray. She was written to be unlikeable. On Reddit, fans often listed her as one of the most annoying characters in the show’s run. One Reddit user noted that she became one of the most hated characters in the show almost instantly.
Why She Thinks It Is Her Worst
Taylor-Joy did not explain exactly why she feels this way. But looking at the character, it is easy to guess. Gina was cold, ambitious, and had very few redeeming qualities. For an actor, playing someone that audiences are supposed to dislike can be tough.
Also, the timing of the show was interesting. Taylor-Joy filmed Peaky Blinders around the same time she was rising to superstardom. The Queen’s Gambit came out in 2020. That show made her a household name. Her role in Peaky Blinders was before that massive explosion of fame.
Some critics at the time also had mixed feelings. One IMDb user review from when season six aired pointed out that Taylor-Joy sometimes felt like a fish out of water compared to the other actors. The reviewer felt that the dialogue given to Gina tried way too hard to seem badass.
Despite her personal feelings, the character worked for the story. Gina was a thorn in the Shelbys’ side. She represented the outside forces trying to tear the family apart.
Family Love Versus Actor View
The funny part of her confession is the family angle. Taylor-Joy was born in Miami but raised in Argentina and London. Her Argentine family loves the show. To them, Gina is a memorable character in a series they enjoy.
This is a common situation for actors. The roles they find difficult or poorly written are often the ones that fans love the most. For Taylor-Joy, she accepts the disconnect. Even though she calls Gina her worst character, she is happy her family enjoys watching her work.
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What Is Next for Anya Taylor-Joy
Taylor-Joy is keeping busy. She recently appeared in the sci-fi film The Gorge and will star in Dune: Part Three as Alia Atreides. She is also set to appear in Sacrifice and the TV series Lucky.
As for Peaky Blinders, the story is not completely over. A movie is coming to continue the saga. There has been talk that Taylor-Joy could return as Gina Gray. However, given her recent comments, it is unclear if she would want to revisit the character.
Whether she returns or not, her time on the show left a mark. Gina Gray might be her worst character in her eyes. But for millions of viewers around the world, she was a crucial part of the final chapters of the Shelby family story.
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Check back to VvipTimes for more updates on the Peaky Blinders movie and the latest on Anya Taylor-Joy’s upcoming projects.
