Although star Anya Taylor-Joy has poured cold water on claims of a Queen's Gambit season 2, a follow-up to the 2020 Netflix miniseries can still work – just without its previous lead. Based on the 1983 novel of the same name, The Queen's Gambit season 1 told the fictional story of chess prodigy Beth Harmon, her rise to the top of the international game, and her struggles with personal demons. Both a compelling character study and a riveting look into one of the world's oldest and most-revered games, The Queen's Gambit enthralled audiences all over the world and earned critical acclaim.
There's no doubt that Anya Taylor-Joy's central performance played a pivotal role in cementing The Queen's Gambit's status as must-see TV. As the ethereal Beth Harmon, Taylor-Joy expertly conveyed both fragility and fierce intelligence, typified by her ability to overcome male opponents who constantly underrated her. However, although Taylor-Joy was one of season 1's stand-out attributes, a Queen's Gambit season 2 can only truly succeed if it leaves her behind. In many ways, this makes The Menu star's recent denial of a possible Queen's Gambit return somewhat reassuring.
A Normal Queen's Gambit Season 2 Wouldn't Work
In order for any The Queen's Gambit season 2 to be a success, leaving behind the season 1 incarnation of Beth Harmon is essential. Part of what made the original so compelling is that it was less about a linear chess career, and more about Beth's personal journey – complete with the baggage that made her such a flawed and compelling heroine. Revisiting the character to see her tackle the next big chess obstacle would miss the point – The Queen's Gambit season 1 was much more about Beth growing as a person than it was about winning tournaments. As such, a more "normal" sequel approach would both alter the essence of the show itself and undermine Beth's development.
That said, there are ways in which a Queen's Gambit season 2 can build on the original without ruining what made it great. Beyond Beth, The Queen's Gambit season 1 created a rich world of vibrant characters, any of whom could help continue the show's legacy. In a different context, with a different focus, the Queen's Gambit universe could still provide the perfect backdrop for another story. Because of this, the fact that Taylor-Joy is so adamant she won't return may actually be good news for The Queen's Gambit's future and help make sure season 2 actually works.
Queen's Gambit's Best Season 2 Story Means Taylor-Joy Can't Appear
If Beth must appear in Queen's Gambit chess players.
The viability of this approach has been advocated by none other than Anya Taylor-Joy herself, who in a 2021 interview with Indiewire declared, "It would be very interesting to see how Beth would be as a mother, now that she’s sober and more cognizant of the demons that pull her down." Given the inevitable age of time, however, having Talyor-Joy return to play such a role – at least, in the near future – wouldn't work. This demonstrates another way that The Queen's Gambit season 2 can work – just without Anya Taylor-Joy.
The Queen's Gambit Without Anya Taylor-Joy Is Pointless
However, despite some intriguing possibilities, there's also a compelling case to be made that any The Queen's Gambit project without Anya Taylor-Joy would be pointless. For all the inherent risks with bringing back the character, the fact remains that Beth Harmon was the key element that made season 1 such a success. Her relatable flaws helped make the world of international chess feel accessible to many, giving the show a beating heart and someone to root for. Without her presence and Taylor-Joy's Golden Globe-winning performance, it's unlikely that The Queen's Gambit would have been as well-received.
Because of her defining presence, bringing The Queen's Gambit back with Anya Taylor-Joy therefore feels like it would be a mistake. As it is, the original show is a fantastic standalone miniseries. However interesting the concept may seem, The Queen's Gambit without Beth Harmon would ultimately be superfluous.