Anya Taylor-Joy joins series based on bestselling crime book fans 'couldn't put down'

Anya Taylor-Joy joins series based on hit crime book fans 'couldn't put down' (Image: GETTY)

Anya Taylor-Joy, renowned for bringing the bestseller The Queen's Gambit to life in the acclaimed Netflix miniseries, is now setting her sights on a new hit novel.

In her latest thrilling venture, the dazzling Hollywood icon known from The Menu and Furiosa, has just announced she will both star in and executive produce a brand-new limited series for Apple TV+; an adaptation of Marissa Stapley's 2021 novel Lucky.

Lucky isn't just any book; it skyrocketed to the ranks of New York Times bestseller and even caught the eye of another cinema icon when it featured in Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.

Taylor-Joy is roped in to embody the character of Lucky Armstrong, "a young woman who left behind the life of crime she was raised in years ago, but must now embrace her darker, criminal side one final time in a desperate attempt to escape her past."

Witherspoon joins the fray with her production outfit, Hello Sunshine, playing a pivotal role as another executive producer, reports the Mirror.

Lucky became a New York Times bestseller back in 2021 (Image: HODDER STOUGHTON)

In a statement, she said expressed: "It is incredibly rewarding to be able to amplify these female-centric stories and their authors, see our community connect with them, then see them take on a whole new life on screen.

"We couldn't be more excited to partner with Apple TV+ and the incomparable Anya Taylor-Joy, plus our brilliant creator Jonathan Tropper and his wonderful co-showrunner Cassie Pappas, to bring this compelling series - based on Marissa Stapley's fantastic novel - to audiences around the world."

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And Taylor-Joy added: "Hello Sunshine continues to do a fantastic job of championing women's voices and I'm thrilled to be joining the team alongside Jonathan, Cassie and Apple TV+ to bring Lucky to life."

If reader reactions to the source material are any indication, Lucky could well be on its way to becoming a smash success.

Another Hollywood legend will executive produce the series (Image: GETTY)

A Goodreads user gushed: "Putting a new Marissa Stapley novel in my hands is a surefire way to bring a smile to my face. Her latest is Lucky and was just released this week. It is a well-written and compelling read that you won't want to put down. I loved it."

"Looking for a totally bingeable caper with a terrific main character?" another suggested. "Check out Lucky, the newest book from Marissa Stapley.

"I thought Lucky was fun and I couldn't put it down. I saw one major twist coming, but it didn't detract from how much I enjoyed the story and Lucky's character. I wouldn't mind another book with her at the helm!!"

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Another added: "Despite her criminality, Lucky is such an enigmatic character who you can't help but root for. Additionally, the story is remarkably compelling; I did not want to put this one down.

"The suspense really kept me going, and I loved reading the flashbacks to Lucky's childhood. There isn't anything negative I have to say about this book. Go read it!"

Another reader succinctly praised: "Brilliantly written and very addictive book! I really enjoyed all the twists and turns and once I had started reading, I couldn't put it down! Definitely recommend reading this!"

Lucky does not yet have a release date.