Taylor Russell
Russell at the 2018 WonderCon
Born
Taylor Russell McKenzie

(1994-07-18) July 18, 1994
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
OccupationActress
Years active2012–present

Taylor Russell McKenzie (born July 18, 1994) is a Canadian actress. She has starred in the Netflix science fiction series Lost in Space (2018–2021). In film, she has starred in the critically acclaimed drama Waves (2019), for which she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female, and the horror film Escape Room (2019) and its 2021 sequel. For starring as a cannibalistic teenager in the road film Bones and All (2022), Russell won the Marcello Mastroianni Award. On stage, Russell has starred in the play The Effect by Lucy Prebble in 2023.

Early life

Taylor Russell McKenzie was born on July 18, 1994, in the small community of Deep Cove, North Vancouver,[1] located near Vancouver, British Columbia. Russell was raised in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.[2][3] She has an older brother and a younger brother.[1] Russell, who was born to a white mother and a black father of Jamaican[1] descent, grew up mostly with her mother's side of the family. She recalled that growing up she felt unaccepted by her peers due to the color of her skin.[4] Her parents faced financial struggles, leading the family to rely on welfare,[5] and they were frequently compelled to relocate, uprooting their lives a total of sixteen times to accommodate her father's professional pursuits. Russell also began working at the age of 13.[6] Despite this adversity, Russell mentioned how in her younger years "there was always an opportunity for reinvention, to create something new.”[7][3]

As a child, Russell was artistically inclined. She strived to pursue a career in ballet, and later as a painter.[8] At eighteen, Russell took her first acting class, which led her to become interested in pursuing acting. She used her work savings to buy a car, and would drive to Los Angeles to audition. When money ran out, she would return home to work until she had enough earnings to audition again.[3] Some of the jobs that Russell worked were at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a butcher's shop.[9] This routine went on for four years until she landed her first major TV role.[3]

Career

Russell made her professional acting debut in 2012, with a small guest role in an episode of The CW medical drama series Emily Owens, M.D..[10] In 2014, she starred as Lark Voorhies in the Lifetime television film The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story,[11][12] and Jennifer in the Disney XD television film Pants on Fire.[13][14]

Russell made guest appearances in the CBC Television drama series Strange Empire (2015), the TNT science fiction series Falling Skies (2015), and the Freeform supernatural horror series Dead of Summer (2016).[10] She also had roles in the teen drama film Before I Fall (2017) and the supernatural horror film Down a Dark Hall (2018).[15]

In 2018, Russell earned recognition for her starring role as Judy Robinson in the science fiction series Lost in Space, a Netflix remake of the original 1965 series, for which she received critical praise and a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation.[16][17] Essence magazine stated that she "impresses in her role as a genius medic and doctor, who is compassionate and caring even in the face of danger."[18] The series concluded in December 2021, after three seasons.[19] On her ability to represent Black women in a science fiction series, Russell stated, "I know there are not a lot of women of color who are in the sci-fi genre and I feel really lucky that they chose me to hold that position on our show ... It's a huge honor for me and I don't take it lightly. It holds a really big place in my heart."[4]

In 2019, Russell had her film breakthrough with the leading role of Zoey Davis in the psychological horror film Escape Room, which was a major commercial success,[20] surpassing initial expectations and grossing $155.7 million.[21][22] Also in 2019, Russell garnered critical acclaim for her starring role in the drama film Waves, which was released by A24 Films on November 15, 2019.[23] IndieWire website dubbed her performance a "revelation",[24] going on to write that "While Waves is filled with excellent performances from its stacked cast, it's Russell that makes off with its most spectacular turn."[24] The Los Angeles Times called her and her co-star Kelvin Harrison Jr. "two of the fastest-rising stars of their generation."[25] For her performance in the film, Russell received the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer and the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, among several others.[26][27]

Russell starred in Thor Freudenthal's romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls (2020), alongside Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, and AnnaSophia Robb, which earned positive responses both from critics and audiences (89 and 94% "fresh", respectively, as of January 2022).[28] She also co-directed, wrote, and produced the documentary short film The Heart Still Hums, which earned acclaim and numerous awards, including the Palm Springs International ShortFest Award for Best Documentary Short.[29]

In 2021, Russell starred in the comedy-drama film Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets, and reprised the role of Zoey Davis in the Escape Room sequel Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,[30][31] which grossed $51.8 million.[32] Russell directed part of the music video for her Waves co-star Alexa Demie's "Leopard Limo (Archive LL11)", which also features her voice.[33] The following year, Russell starred alongside Timothée Chalamet in the romance horror film Bones and All, directed by Luca Guadagnino.[34] The film premiered at the 79th Venice Film Festival on September 2 to positive reviews.[35] Russell's performance in the film earned her widespread critical acclaim and the Marcello Mastroianni Award.[36][37]

In 2023, Russell began starring as Connie in the play The Effect by Lucy Prebble at the Royal National Theatre in London.[38]

Russell will next star in the comedy film Mother, Couch opposite Ewan McGregor. It is scheduled to be premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).[39] She is set to appear in the thriller Hope, from director Na Hong-jin, alongside HoYeon Jung, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.[40]

Modeling

Russell made her modeling debut opening the SS23 Loewe show in 2022.[41] Creative director of the Spanish luxury brand Jonathan Anderson chose Russell after meeting her through mutual friend Luca Guadagnino. Anderson said of the decision: "It was the start of a very special friendship and I just thought, she has to open the show. I'm so proud she agreed."[42] In November 2022, she was named a Loewe Global Ambassador.[43] Russell has modeled in campaigns for Loewe,[44] Chanel,[45] BYRDIE,[46] and Prada.[47] She has appeared in the magazines V, W, Fantastic Man, HommeGirls, Vogue, Dazed, and Harper's Bazaar.[48] Following her red-carpet appearances on the Bones and All press tour, Vogue hailed her a "bold style renegade", writing "she’s in a total fashion league of her own, choosing unique looks that stray from the glitzy status quo."[49]

Personal life

Russell currently lives in between New York and London. [50] She is a fan of Patti Smith, and has a small lightning bolt tattooed on her inner wrist, emulating the one Smith has on her knee.[3]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2013 If I Had Wings[51] Amy Conrad as Taylor Russell McKenzie
2015 Suspension[52] Carrie
2016 UNIT Bryan Robin Short film
2017 Before I Fall Ashley
2018 Down a Dark Hall Ashley
Hot Air[53] Tess
2019 Escape Room Zoey Davis
Waves Emily Williams
2020 Words on Bathroom Walls Maya Arnez
The Heart Still Hums None Documentary short film
Director, writer, and producer
2021 Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets Sophie
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions Zoey Davis
2022 Bones and All Maren Yearly
2023 Mother, Couch Bella Completed
TBA Hope TBA Korean film[54]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Emily Owens, M.D. Mean Girl #1 Episode: "Emily and... the Outbreak"; as Taylor McKenzie
2013 Blink[55][56] Jessica Unsold television pilot
2014 The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story Lark Voorhies Television film; as Taylor Russell McKenzie
Pants on Fire Jennifer Television film
2015 Strange Empire Cassie 2 episodes
Falling Skies Evelyn 5 episodes
2016 Dead of Summer Laura Episode: "How to Stay Alive in the Woods"
2017 Sea Change CeCe Television film
2018–2021 Lost in Space Judy Robinson Main role; 28 episodes

Stage

Year Title Roles Notes
2023 The Effect Connie Lyttelton Theatre


Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation Lost in Space Nominated [57]
African-American Film Critics Association We See You Award Waves Won [58]
Chicago Film Critics Association Most Promising Performer Nominated [59]
Gotham Independent Film Award Breakthrough Actor Won [26]
Indiana Film Journalists Association Breakout of the Year Nominated [60]
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2020 Black Reel Award Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female Nominated [61]
Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominated
Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Female Nominated [62]
Georgia Film Critics Association Breakthrough Award Escape Room and Waves Nominated [63]
Hollywood Critics Association Star on the Rise Waves Won [64]
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Breakthrough Performance - Actress Nominated
Latino Entertainment Journalists Association Best Supporting Actress Nominated [65]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award Won [27]
Seattle Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actress Nominated [66]
Atlanta Film Festival Best Documentary Short The Heart Still Hums Nominated [67]
BlackStar Film Festival Won [68]
Nashville Film Festival Won [69]
Palm Springs International ShortFest Won [70]
2022 Venice Film Festival Marcello Mastroianni Award Bones and All Won [71]
Gotham Independent Film Awards Outstanding Lead Performance Nominated [72]
Independent Spirit Awards Best Lead Performance Nominated [73]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mire, Muna (2023-01-19). "Taylor Russell Has Arrived". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  2. ↑ Ahearn, Victoria (December 2, 2019). "Vancouver actress Taylor Russell on her surreal ride with 'Waves'". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Garrel, Connor (November 30, 2022). "Taylor Russell: the blossoming of film's most captivating cannibal". Dazed. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Wills, Cortney (April 16, 2018). "Exclusive: Taylor Russell on Bringing #BlackGirlMagic to 'Lost in Space'". TheGrio.com. Beverly Hill, Calif.: Entertainment Studios Digital Media. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  5. ↑ Kovan, Brianna (2019-11-15). "Everyone Is Talking About Taylor Russell". Elle. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  6. ↑ Garel, Connor (2022-11-30). "Taylor Russell: the blossoming of film's most captivating cannibal". Dazed Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  7. ↑ Kovan, Brianna (November 29, 2021). "Everyone Is Talking about Taylor Russell". ELLE. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Taylor Russell on Being a Night Owl and Fangirling Over Zadie Smith W Magazine". Youtube. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  9. ↑ Wise, Damon (2022-12-09). "Close-Up: How 'Bones And All' Star Taylor Russell Got That Meaty Role In Luca Guadagnino's Cannibal Romance". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  10. 1 2 Nededog, Jethro (September 19, 2014). "'Saved by the Bell' Movie's Taylor Russell Books Recurring Role on TNT's 'Falling Skies' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  11. ↑ Lowry, Brian (September 1, 2014). "TV Review: 'The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  12. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (September 2, 2014). "'Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story': 100 things that maybe happened". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Pants on Fire - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Pants On Fire - Official Trailer - MarVista Entertainment". YouTube. April 8, 2015. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  15. ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 10, 2016). "'Down a Dark Hall' Movie Adaptation With AnnaSophia Robb Casts Taylor Russell". Variety. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  16. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (September 16, 2016). "Lost in Space: Netflix Remake Casts Falling Skies Alum as Judy Robinson". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Saturn Awards 2019 Nominations Led by Avengers: Endgame". Collider. 2019-07-16. Archived from the original on 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  18. ↑ "'Lost In Space' Actress Taylor Russell Dream Casts Idris Elba As Her Onscreen Dad, Talks Surviving In Space". Essence. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  19. ↑ Cordero, Rosty (October 7, 2021). "'Lost In Space' Season 3: Netflix Reveals Premiere Date & First Look Photos". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  20. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-01-13). "Why Kevin Hart's Oscar Host Noise Didn't Upset 'The Upside' At B.O.: STX Posts First No. 1 Opener With $19.5M+". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  21. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-01-06). "'Aquaman's $940M+ Global Muscle Bests 'Batman V. Superman' & 'Wonder Woman'; 'Escape Room' Packs $18M Stateside – Sunday Update". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2019-01-04. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  22. ↑ "Escape Room". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2022-01-09. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  23. ↑ Yamato, Jen (November 18, 2019). "Let 'Waves' Duo Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell Break Your Heart and Piece It Back Together". LATimes.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Erbland, Kate (2019-11-14). "'Waves': Why Taylor Russell Is One of Oscar Season's Biggest Revelations". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  25. ↑ "Let 'Waves' duo Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell break your heart and piece it back together". Los Angeles Times. 2019-11-18. Archived from the original on 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  26. 1 2 THR Staff (December 2, 2019). "'Marriage Story' Sweeps Gotham Awards; Full Winners List". HollywoodReporter.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  27. 1 2 Gray, Tim (October 18, 2019). "Awkwafina, Taron Egerton Get Santa Barbara Fest Salute". Variety. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Words on Bathroom Walls". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  29. ↑ Malkin, Marc (February 14, 2020). "'Waves' Star Taylor Russell to Make Directorial Debut With Documentary Short". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  30. ↑ Clarke, Cath (June 18, 2021). "Dr Bird's Advice for Sad Poets review – quirky teenage hero gets life lessons from a pigeon". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  31. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (October 18, 2019). "Escape Room 2: Sony Sets Lead Cast for Sequel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  32. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-07-25). "Box Office Drops With 'Old', 'Snake Eyes', 'Black Widow' & 'Space Jam 2': But Is Delta Variant Or Dynamic Windows To Blame? – Update". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  33. ↑ "Archived copy". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ↑ Kroll, Justin (January 28, 2021). "Hot Package: Luca Guadagnino Eyes New Project 'Bones & All' With Timothée Chalamet And Taylor Russell Circling Lead Roles". Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  35. ↑ Bones and All, archived from the original on 2022-09-12, retrieved 2022-09-02
  36. ↑ Bones and All, archived from the original on 2022-09-12, retrieved 2022-09-04
  37. ↑ "'Bones & All' Review: Chalamet Seduces, but a New Star Is Born in Cannibal Romance". IndieWire. 2022-09-02. Archived from the original on 2022-09-29. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  38. ↑ "Taylor Russell and Paapa Essiedu on Starring in Lucy Prebble's War Cry of a Play, 'The Effect'". Vogue. 2023-07-18. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  39. ↑ Hopewell, John (2023-07-31). "Charades, UTA Board 'Mother, Couch' With Taylor Russell, Ewan McGregor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  40. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (2023-04-04). "Taylor Russell Joins Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender & Alicia Vikander In Korean Thriller 'Hope'". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  41. ↑ "Loewe Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection". Vogue Runway. 2022-09-30. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  42. ↑ "Loewe on Instagram". Instagram. 2022-09-30. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  43. ↑ Molinos, Paloma (2022-11-02). "Taylor Russell is LOEWE's new Global Ambassador". HIGHXTAR. Archived from the original on 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  44. ↑ admin (2023-02-16). "Taylor Russell is the Face of LOEWE Spring Summer 2023 Collection". DSCENE. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  45. ↑ Parris, Naomi (2022-11-28). "Taylor Russell in the Chanel Front Row at Paris Fashion Week". POPSUGAR Fashion. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  46. ↑ "Taylor Russell Is the Quiet New Force of Hollywood's Future". Byrdie. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  47. ↑ Gardner, Chris (2021-11-05). "Prada Recruits Julia Garner, Shira Haas, Louis Partridge and Taylor Russell for Holiday Campaign". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  48. ↑ "Taylor Russell - Actor". MODELS.com. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  49. ↑ Allaire, Christian. "Taylor Russell Is Hollywood's Boldest New Red Carpet Risk-Taker". Vogue. Archived from the original on 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  50. ↑
  51. ↑ Parker, Dylan (October 21, 2020). "How 'Lost In Space's' Taylor Russell Is On Her Way To Making Her First Million". The Things. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  52. ↑ Mohr, Jeff (November 30, 2015). ""Suspension" (2015): A Twisted Mother Of A Story". gruesomemagazine. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  53. ↑ Allen, Nick (August 23, 2019). "Review: 'Hot Air'". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  54. ↑ Lee Da-won (April 5, 2023). "나홍진 '호프', 테일러 러셀·카메론 브리튼 캐스팅" [Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' casts Taylor Russell and Cameron Brit] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023 – via Naver.
  55. ↑ Kasperowicz, Leslie (January 28, 2013). "The Tomorrow People Reboot And Blink Get Pilot Orders At The CW". CinemaBlend.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  56. ↑ TFC Staff (May 10, 2013). "Breaking News / Development Update: Friday, May 10-Odds & Ends". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  57. ↑ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 15, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Game of Thrones' Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations". Collider. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  58. ↑ Rahman, Abid (December 10, 2019). "Jordan Peele's 'Us' Named Best Film by African-American Film Critics Association". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  59. ↑ "2019 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards". December 31, 2019. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  60. ↑ Dossey, Evan (December 11, 2019). "Nominations Announced for the 2019 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards". Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  61. ↑ Morales, Wilson (December 11, 2019). "20th Annual Black Reel Awards - Nominees Announced". Black Film. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  62. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 21, 2019). "Spirit Award Nominations: A24 Leads For 4th Straight Year With 18 Noms As 'Uncut Gems' & 'The Lighthouse' Come Up Big". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Georgia Film Critics Association: 2019 Awards". Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  64. ↑ Variety Staff (January 9, 2020). "'1917' Wins Best Picture at 3rd Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards". Variety.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  65. ↑ "'The Irishman' and '1917' Lead 2019 Latino Entertainment Film Awards by LEJA, Jennifer Lopez Gets Lifetime Achievement Award". January 5, 2020. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  66. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 16, 2019). "Seattle Film Critics Society winners: 'Parasite' lands on top". Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  67. ↑ "Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference Reveals New Dates and Official Selections for 2020 Event". March 26, 2020. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  68. ↑ "BlackStar Film Festival Wraps Up 9th Year, Announces Winners for 2020 Competition". August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  69. ↑ "2020 NashFilm Winners: Film Competition". Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  70. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 21, 2020). "'Matriochkas,' 'Heart Still Hums,' 'Fabric of You' Take Top Prizes at Palm Springs ShortFest". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  71. ↑ "Venice Film Festival Winners: Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell Take Top Acting Prizes – Updating Live". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  72. ↑ Shanfield, Ethan (October 25, 2022). "'Tár' Leads Gotham Awards Nominations: Full List". Variety. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  73. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 22, 2022). "2023 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced (Updating Live)". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
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