What Happened To The Queen's Gambit Cast?
When "The Queen's Gambit" roared onto Netflix in October of 2020, no one could have predicted what it would become: an international sensation that helped cement the streamer as a hub for modern prestige TV. The series swept through award shows on the coattails of Anya Taylor-Joy's commanding lead performance and its stunning production design, winning eleven Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes. In the time since, "The Queen's Gambit" has remained the gold standard for other high-budget streaming miniseries to be measured.
There are a lot of reasons why the show became such a hit. The Emmy-winning cinematography of Steven Meizler captures the tangled world of Beth Harmon's chess crusade beautifully, accentuated by a beautiful range of period costumes and gorgeously adorned sets. The script is tight and compelling as well. But of course, no television series becomes truly transcendent without an equally great cast, and "The Queen's Gambit" has an excellent one.
Because Beth is the only main protagonist of the show, all the other characters appear and vanish based solely on her orbit. Yet, even the smaller supporting roles in "The Queen's Gambit" are memorable — brought to life by an ensemble of talented stars. But how did the series' success impact the careers of those actors? And what are they all up to now? Here's what has happened since to the cast of "The Queen's Gambit," and where you can find them today.
Anya Taylor-Joy
2020 was a breakout year for Anya Taylor-Joy, even before "The Queen's Gambit" premiered. She starred as the titular character in "Emma," an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel of the same name, and in the "X-Men" film "The New Mutants. Taylor-Joy hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 2021, then delivered a memorable feature film performance in Edgar Wright's "Last Night in Soho." Additionally, she has continued to play the role of Gina Gray on the British crime drama "Peaky Blinders."
"The Queen's Gambit" established Taylor-Joy as one of the most talented and marketable young stars in Hollywood, and that status has only been further supported by her work since. 2022 will see her co-starring in Robert Eggers' Viking epic "The Northman," set to release on April 22, and she'll also be providing the voice of Princess Peach in Illumination's "Super Mario Brothers" movie. Fans of her work can look forward to "The Menu," a "darkly comedic psychological thriller set in the world of eccentric culinary culture" (per Variety), and an as-yet unnamed film from writer-director David O. Russell. Plus, "Mad Max" fans can look forward to her turn as Imperator Furiosa ... eventually.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about Anya Taylor-Joy is that she's just getting started. In a very short amount of time, she's proven her star power across a wide range of different roles, and it should be exciting to see what else she creates as her career develops. "The Queen's Gambit" Season 2, anyone?
Isla Johnston
Though Anya Taylor-Joy plays Beth Harmon for the majority of "The Queen's Gambit," she isn't the only one to bring the character to life. The series follows Beth through multiple decades, with Annabeth Kelly ("The Small Francis") playing her as a very young child, and Isla Johnston playing her during her formative years at the Methuen Home for Girls. Johnston does an exceptional job as the young Beth, taking her through complex stages of trauma and grief and the beginnings of her chess career. But what else has the young star been up to?
Johnston has remained active in television since the end of "The Queen's Gambit." In 2021, she played the role of Lucy Spencer in the Apple TV+ original series "Invasion" — a sci-fi saga about an alien assault on Earth. She is also set to appear in the upcoming BBC adaptation of author Kate Atkinson's novel "Life After Life," which coincidentally will also feature Anya Taylor-Joy's "Last Night in Soho" co-star Thomasin McKenzie.
Marielle Heller
One of the most compelling relationships in "Gambit" is the one between Beth and her adoptive mother Alma Wheatley, played wonderfully by the multitalented Marielle Heller. Just as prolific behind the camera as in front of it, Heller has directed major films like the Melissa McCarthy vehicle "Can You Ever Forgive Me," the Tom Hanks-led Fred Rogers biopic "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," and the 2015 coming-of-age drama "The Diary of a Teenage Girl," which she also wrote. Heller has also directed episodes of shows like "Transparent" and "Casual," and she helmed the filmed version of the acclaimed Broadway play "What the Constitution Means to Me."
Since "The Queen's Gambit," her only major onscreen role has been on the Peacock original series "MacGruber," in which she plays the main character's ill-fated mother. Rest assured, though, Heller is surely working on a project or two behind the scenes. At just 42 years old, she's established herself as a true triple-threat in Hollywood, and whatever she puts out next — be it as an actor, writer, or director — should be worth the wait.
Moses Ingram
Moses Ingram made a big splash when "The Queen's Gambit" premiered, playing Beth's longtime friend Jolene. Her performance earned an Emmy Award nomination and launched her to well-deserved recognition in Hollywood, leading to some exciting new projects. She played Lady Macduff in Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," which has earned nominations for several Academy Awards, and she is in the Michael Bay action thriller "Ambulance" alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González.
Perhaps most exciting, however, is Ingram's upcoming "Star Wars" debut in the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" show, in which she will play the Third Sister — one of the Empire's elite Jedi-hunting Inquisitors. The Disney+ series is one of the most highly anticipated "Star Wars" projects in years, and it should be fun to see Ingram cross blades with Ewan MacGregor's disgraced Jedi master. Fans will get to discover Ingram's new character for themselves when "Obi-Wan Kenobi" premieres on May 25, 2022.
Bill Camp
No "Queen's Gambit" character has a greater impact on Beth Harmon than Mr. Shaibel, the Methuen custodian and all-around loner who teaches her how to play chess. Seasoned screen veteran Bill Camp plays Mr. Shaibel in the show, bringing an impressive balance of curmudgeonly standoffishness and soft compassion to his performance.
Movie buffs will recognize Camp from any number of his past film roles, which include turns in "Lincoln," "Vice," "Joker," and "12 Years a Slave." His TV appearances include HBO's "The Leftovers," "The Outsider," and "The Night of," for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for his scene-stealing work.
Since "The Queen's Gambit," Camp has continued his prolific career on screen. He played Henry English in the Showtime drama series "American Rust" and appeared alongside Tom Hanks in Paul Greengrass' "News of the World." Coming up, fans can catch him in the Alejandro Monteverde-directed film "Sound of Freedom," Gary Dauberman's adaptation of "Salem's Lot," and the legal drama "The Burial," where he'll appear alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, and Jurnee Smollett. Alternatively, you might be able to catch the Tony Award-nominated actor on stage at some point in the near future.
Harry Melling
"Harry Potter" alum Harry Melling co-stars in "Gambit" as Beth's on-again, off-again friend and chess compatriot Harry Beltik (which might be one Harry too many for this sentence). Beltik is Beth's first truly competitive opponent when she begins entering tournaments, and after she quickly surpasses him in skill, their relationship evolves in curious ways, ultimately turning them into good friends and confidants. Melling plays Beltik with an interesting blend of awkwardness and ego, which sets him apart from other characters like Beth and Benny Watts.
In the past, Melling has appeared in a number of feature films, most famously playing Dudley Dursley in five of the "Harry Potter" movies, but also featuring in "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," "The Devil All the Time," and "The Old Guard," among others. A seasoned stage actor, Melling most recently appeared alongside Moses Ingram in Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," in which he played the role of Malcolm. He's also set to appear in the upcoming 1950s period drama "Please Baby Please," written and directed by Amanda Kramer, and in Scott Cooper's "The Pale Blue Eye," in which he'll portray famed author Edgar Allen Poe alongside Christian Bale and Gillian Anderson.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd
Early on in her competitive chess career, Beth Harmon encounters a dashing young journalist named D. L. Townes who becomes her primary love interest for the rest of the series. Though he's an American character, Townes is played by British actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd. Prior to "The Queen's Gambit," Fortune-Lloyd was best known for appearing in various prominent English TV series, such as the crime serial "Endeavour" and BBC Two's adaptation of Hilary Mantel "Wolf Hall," which also happened to feature "Queen's Gambit" co-star Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
In the wake of his huge success on "The Queen's Gambit," Fortune-Lloyd has acted in a number of other TV series and films. In 2022, he's set to star in Sara Sugarman's "Midas Man" — a biopic about the life of original Beatles manager Brian Epstein — and feature in Tom George's upcoming murder mystery "See How They Run." He's also been cast as the Duke of Buckingham in Martin Bourboulon's "Three Musketeers" duology, with both films scheduled to release in 2023. As if that weren't enough, Fortune-Lloyd will feature in the upcoming Amazon adaptation of Naomi Alderman's bestselling novel "The Power," set in an alternate reality where women develop the ability to generate electricity.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Thomas Brodie-Sangster was already a pretty recognizable star before his Emmy-nominated performance as Benny in "The Queen's Gambit." His early roles included films like "Nanny McPhee," "Love Actually," and the "Maze Runner" movies, in which he plays Newt. He also had prominent roles in several major TV series as a young actor, playing Jojen Reed in HBO's "Game of Thrones" and voicing Ferb in Disney's "Phineas and Ferb," among other appearances.
In the wake of "The Queen's Gambit," Brodie-Sangster hasn't been terribly active on screen, but fans certainly haven't seen the last of him. At the moment, he's set to feature in the upcoming FX miniseries "Pistol," which will tell the story of Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones (Toby Wallace). The "Queen's Gambit" actor will appear in the series as Malcolm McLaren — the band's manager and self-professed master swindler. Brodie-Sangster will also star in the upcoming World War II audio drama series "Unsinkable," alongside the likes of Brian Cox and John Malkovich.
Christiane Seidel
Christiane Seidel plays the cold, semi-villainous Methuen home director Helen Deardorff in "The Queen's Gambit," who oversees Beth's childhood during her time at the orphanage. A veteran of television, Seidel is perhaps best known for her roles in the Netflix Western series "Godless" and the HBO mob drama "Boardwalk Empire." Her talents have also been featured in films like 2017's "The Hollow" and 2019's "Human Capital," which co-starred Liev Schreiber, Alex Wolff, Peter Sarsgaard, and Marisa Tomei. Throughout her career, Seidel has brought a dramatic gravity to her characters, fiercely apparent in her intimidating performance as Helen in "The Queen's Gambit."
Seidel hasn't released much work since the Netflix miniseries ended, but she has a few projects coming up in 2022. She's set to co-star alongside Neal McDonough in the upcoming crime drama film "Boon," which is a sequel to 2021's "Red Stone." She'll also appear in the comedy film "God's Time" and the drug-smuggling saga "Paradise Highway," which stars Morgan Freeman, Juliette Binoche, and Frank Grillo.
Akemnji Ndifornyen
British actor Akemnji Ndifornyen may not have as much screen time as some of the other members of the "Queen's Gambit" main cast, but he still plays a significant role in the series as Mr. Fergusson, the Methuen orderly whose rampant administering of various pills kicks off Beth's drug addiction. Ndifornyen has long been a staple of British TV, with an extended tenure on the BBC One medical soap opera "Doctors" and a starring role as Niccolò Machiavelli on the children's series "Leonardo."
In addition to his onscreen work, Ndifornyen is also a seasoned writer and producer. He won a BAFTA in 2019 for his work on the sketch comedy series "Famalam," which he helped write, produced, acted in, and even composed the music for. Coming up, fans can catch him in Lena Dunham's medieval comedy film "Catherine, Called Birdy," which stars Andrew Scott, Billie Piper, and Bella Ramsey.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Rebecca Root
The last major "Queen's Gambit" character from Beth's days in the Methuen Home for Girls is choir director Miss Lonsdale, played by Rebecca Root. Root's prior work includes a number of roles in major films and TV series, such as a starring role as Judy in the BBC Two comedy "Boy Meets Girl" and appearances in movies like "The Danish Girl," "The Sister Brothers," "Last Christmas," and "Colette." She's also worked extensively in the realm of audio dramas, particularly the "Doctor Who" specials from Big Finish — an unsurprising specialty given her work as a voice coach.
Following the release of "The Queen's Gambit," Root co-starred in the 2021 film "Creation Stories," a biopic about the life of Scottish music executive Alan McGee, and made a guest appearance in Netflix's "Sex Education." A devoted activist for transgender rights and LGBTQ+ representation at large, Root has also done laudable work off screen to promote better diversity in her industry. She currently stars in the supernatural thriller series "The Rising."
Chloe Pirrie
Beth Harmon's late mother Alice is one of the most interesting characters in "The Queen's Gambit." Though she only appears in occasional flashbacks, she casts a long shadow over the entire show and affects Beth's arc in numerous ways. When Alice does appear on camera, she's played by Chloe Pirrie, a seasoned screen actor from Scotland whose feature film credits include "Kindred," "Burn Burn Burn," and the 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma," which coincidentally also starred Anya Taylor-Joy. Pirrie is perhaps better known for her career in television, with prominent appearances in recent shows like "Black Mirror," "Temple," "Carnival Row," and "Troy: Fall of a City."
Pirrie's biggest role since "The Queen's Gambit" came in the third season of the Amazon Prime Video sci-fi series "Hanna," in which she played CIA operative Brianna Stapleton. She can soon be seen in the 2022 crime drama miniseries "Under the Banner of Heaven," starring Andrew Garfield.
Patrick Kennedy
Alma Wheatley's husband and Beth's adoptive father Allston is played by veteran stage and screen actor Patrick Kennedy, who delivers a great (and detestable) performance in "The Queen's Gambit." Kennedy's impressive filmography includes films like "Atonement," "War Horse," "Mr. Holmes," and "London has Fallen." He's also appeared on a number of other TV series besides the Netflix chess drama, including "Downton Abbey," "Bleak House," "Person of Interest," and BBC One miniseries "Mrs. Wilson."
Unfortunately for fans of his work in "The Queen's Gambit," Kennedy hasn't released much onscreen work since. He appeared in an episode of the David Tennant-led adaptation of "Around the World in 80 days" in 2021, playing the role of Sir Henry Rowbotham. Kennedy's most recent feature film appearance was in the 2020 Italian drama "Miss Marx," which told the story of Karl Marx's daughter Eleanor and her love affair with noted biologist Edward Aveling, played by Kennedy.
Marcin Dorociński
Last but not least on our list is Polish actor Marcin Dorociński, who plays Beth's Russian rival Vasily Borgov in "The Queen's Gambit." Though he's become more of an international star in recent years, Dorociński spent years as a prominent actor on the Polish cinema scene, winning numerous awards for his spectacular performances. He co-starred with David Tennant and Janet Montgomery in the 2013 BBC miniseries "Spies of Warsaw," featured prominently in the 2016 crime drama series "Cape Town," and played the leading role in the Polish HBO show "Pakt," which ran from 2015 to 2016. Since "The Queen's Gambit," Dorociński has continued to appear primarily in Polish films, such as 2020's "Bialy Potok" and 2021's "Tesciowie."
As another fun "Queen's Gambit" "Star Wars" connection, Dorociński also voiced the villainous Kylo Ren in the Polish dub of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" — the dark side warrior played by Adam Driver.