Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stays booked and delivering nothing but excellence. The Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominee has joined the cast of Lucky, the upcoming Apple TV+ limited series starring and executive produced by Anya Taylor-Joy.
Created by Jonathan Tropper (Warrior), Lucky is based on Marissa Stapley’s bestselling novel and Reese’s Book Club pick of the same name. The series follows a young woman (Taylor-Joy) who walked away from a life of crime years ago but is forced to embrace her past one last time in a high-stakes bid for survival. Ellis-Taylor will play Agent Billie Rand.
The series is produced by Hello Sunshine and Tropper Ink, with Tropper serving as co-showrunner alongside Cassie Pappas (Silo, Griselda). Reese Witherspoon executive produces alongside Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, while Taylor-Joy produces through her Ladykiller banner. Jonathan Van Tulleken is on board to direct multiple episodes, including the pilot.
Ellis-Taylor is having yet another major moment. Most recently, she was honored at the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors, where she accepted ABFF’s Excellence in the Arts trophy from her Origin director Ava DuVernay.
Last year she starred in the critically acclaimed Nickel Boys, the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, directed by Ramell Ross as well as The Supremes at Earl’s-All-You-Can-Eat alongside Uzo Aduba and Sanaa Lathan and Exhibiting Forgiveness, the feature debut of artist Titus Kaphar.
With Lucky, Ellis-Taylor adds another must-watch project to her ever-expanding slate. And as always, we’ll be watching.