Anya Taylor-Joy has weighed in on one of Hollywood’s most debated acting techniques, and her perspective is already sparking conversations. While method acting has long been associated with performers who stay in character throughout filming, the actor believes the reality is different for many women in the industry. According to Taylor-Joy, the responsibilities that exist beyond a film set often make it impossible to fully disappear into a role the way some actors are known to do.
The Dune star also explained why she has never embraced method acting during her career, despite earning acclaim for transformative performances across film and television. Instead, she prefers an approach that allows her to immerse herself in a character without losing sight of the people working around her.
Anya Taylor-Joy explains why method acting isn’t for her
During a conversation with Complex News, Anya Taylor-Joy spoke candidly about the ongoing discussion surrounding method acting and why she has never considered it essential to her craft. Without changing her words, she said, “If you’ll notice, women don’t method act because we have things to take care of, so we can’t completely lose our minds. I see acting as a controlled psychosis in a way. You’re pretending to be somebody else and having their thoughts 16 hours a day and moving like them, in their house, in their clothes. It’s like having a sister or a roommate check in up [in my mind] for a little bit.”
Her comments reflect a broader conversation within the entertainment industry about the demands actors place on themselves while preparing for emotionally or physically challenging roles. Although method acting has been praised by some performers for helping them stay connected to a character, it has also faced criticism when that commitment begins affecting colleagues or the working environment.
Taylor-Joy made it clear that while she becomes deeply invested in every role, she believes there should still be a healthy balance between performance and professionalism.
Staying in character has its limits
The actor admitted that there are moments when she becomes so immersed in a character that people close to her notice the difference. However, she also believes there comes a point where stepping back becomes necessary, both for her own well-being and for everyone involved in a production.
Without altering her statement, Taylor-Joy said, “Sometimes if it gets out of hand, they’ll call me by the character name and they’ll be like ‘we need to check in again’. I can’t imagine keeping it up all the time because, again, you’re going to work with hundreds of people and it is your responsibility to be good to them and to help them do their best job. If you’re too invested in being an ah*le then that’s not gonna be very fun.”**
Her remarks highlight an increasingly discussed aspect of acting, where maintaining a collaborative atmosphere on set is viewed as just as important as delivering a convincing performance. In recent years, several actors have openly debated whether remaining in character throughout production genuinely improves performances or simply creates unnecessary challenges for cast and crew.
Busy years ahead for the actor
Anya Taylor-Joy currently stars in and executive produces Lucky, Apple TV+’s crime drama series, which premiered on July 15, 2026. The project marks another major milestone in her career as she expands her work behind the camera while continuing to take on leading roles.
She is also preparing to return as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Three, one of the year’s most anticipated blockbuster releases, scheduled to arrive in theatres on December 18, 2026. The film continues Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed science fiction saga and is expected to further expand Alia’s role within the franchise.
Beyond Dune, Taylor-Joy has joined another iconic fantasy universe by portraying Seren, a new Sindar Elf character in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which is slated for release on December 17, 2027. She also remains attached to Netflix’s adaptation of How to Kill Your Family and Sacrifice, director Romain Gavras’ upcoming film featuring Chris Evans and Salma Hayek.
As conversations around method acting continue across Hollywood, Taylor-Joy’s comments offer a different perspective from an actor who believes strong performances do not require completely losing oneself in a role. Instead, she argues that maintaining balance, professionalism, and respect for collaborators is just as important as the performance audiences ultimately see on screen.
