After nearly a decade of long, flowing lengths, Anya Taylor-Joy is officially back in bob territory. On Tuesday, Apple TV released the first trailer for her upcoming series “Lucky,” and the reveal was immediate and dramatic. Taylor-Joy appears with shockingly shorter hair, debuting a platinum blonde, chin-grazing bob that feels bold, intentional, and deeply character-driven.
This is not a subtle trim or a nostalgic callback. It is a full reset. For fans who have followed her style evolution since the mid-2010s, the return of the bob marks her first time wearing her hair this short since 2016, when she favored a brunette shade and was still early in her career ascent. The contrast alone makes the moment land harder. Platinum instead of brown. Razor sharp instead of softly undone. Controlled rather than romantic.
The ‘Lucky’ Trailer Introduces a New Era of Taylor-Joy
In “Lucky,” based on Lucky by Marissa Stapley, Taylor-Joy plays a high-stakes con artist whose carefully constructed life unravels after a heist goes wrong. Forced to go on the run, her character relies on charm, intelligence, and constant reinvention. The platinum bob works as visual shorthand. This is a woman who cuts ties quickly, including with her past.
Hair has always been part of Taylor-Joy’s on-screen language, and the bob here reads as armor. Clean lines, sharp edges, and no excess. It is the kind of haircut that signals precision and danger at the same time. Within seconds of the trailer starting, the look establishes tone. Sleek, tense, unpredictable.
Why the Bob Hits Differently in 2026
Bob's never fully disappeared, but timing is everything. Right now, shorter, more deliberate cuts are gaining traction again as fashion shifts toward clarity and structure. Taylor-Joy’s bob does not lean retro or playful. It feels modern, almost severe, and perfectly aligned with the psychological edge of "Lucky." That makes it less about trend-chasing and more about narrative power.
The nearly ten-year gap since her last short haircut adds weight to the transformation. In 2016, she was a rising talent experimenting with identity. In 2026, she is an established star using image as a strategy. Same length. Entirely different message.
A Fashion Risk-Taker On and Off Screen
Hair aside, Taylor-Joy has been quietly shaping red carpet conversations too. In December, while serving as a jury member at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival, she made a memorable appearance at the closing ceremony in a black lace slipdress by Tom Ford. The design featured a plunging neckline and Art Deco-inspired sheer paneling, aligning perfectly with the ongoing underwear-as-outerwear movement.
This trend has been embraced by style heavyweights like Emma Stone, Jennifer Aniston, Zoë Kravitz, and Andie MacDowell, but Taylor-Joy added her own twist. She layered a black bra underneath the dress, leaning fully into the peek-a-bra moment that has surged on recent red carpets. Exposed cups have also been spotted on Kate Hudson and Selena Gomez, but Taylor-Joy’s take felt intentional rather than provocative for its own sake.