Anya Taylor-Joy has become one of Hollywood's most captivating young stars, from her breakout in The Witch to her household-name turn in The Queen's Gambit. But before she voices Princess Peach or stars in the upcoming Apple TV thriller Lucky (premiering July 15, 2026, alongside Annette Bening and Timothy Olyphant), she delivered a performance that remains criminally underrated: her role in the PBS Masterpiece Theater miniseries The Miniaturist.
What Is 'The Miniaturist' About?
Based on Jessie Burton's novel—inspired by a real dollhouse in an Amsterdam museum—The Miniaturist is a 17th-century period drama set in the Netherlands. Taylor-Joy plays Nella Oortman, a young woman forced to marry a much older man to settle her family's debts. Her new husband, Johannes Brandt (Alex Hassell), is a closeted gay man who sees his role as provider but fails to notice Nella's profound loneliness and need for connection.
As a wedding gift, Johannes gives Nella a cabinet to decorate as a dollhouse. When she orders three items from a miniaturist, she mysteriously receives extra pieces that eerily mirror objects in her real home. The unseen miniaturist seems to know every secret of the Brandt household, creating an intriguing mystery. But ultimately, The Miniaturist is less about solving a puzzle and more about exploring the inner tragedies of its characters.
Anya Taylor-Joy's Quietly Heartbreaking Performance
Taylor-Joy's portrayal of Nella is a masterclass in subtlety. In a time when women—especially those from poor families—had little agency, Nella initially accepts her fate with politeness and good humor. But Taylor-Joy makes the smallest reactions hit hard: a flicker of disappointment when her cold sister-in-law Marin (Romola Garai) dismisses her, or a quiet ache when Johannes is evasive. Over time, Nella's determination to assert herself grows, and Taylor-Joy brilliantly shows her gradually working up the confidence to demand to be treated as a wife, not an object.
Alex Hassell brings the same bawdy charm he displays in Rivals, creating a stark contrast to Taylor-Joy's despairing energy. Their scenes together crackle with chemistry when they share moments of friendship or solidarity, making it all the more frustrating when Johannes pulls away. Hassell makes Johannes sympathetic, warm, and funny—then brutally reveals an evasive side that deepens Nella's isolation. Viewers will find themselves torn, just as Nella is, between finding her husband charming and infuriating.
Production and Costume Design That Shine
Beyond Taylor-Joy's captivating lead performance, The Miniaturist excels in its production and costume design. The show brings 17th-century Amsterdam to life with meticulous detail, as expected from Masterpiece Theater. A particularly brilliant touch: Nella's new dresses fit her poorly, a subtle sign that her husband and sister-in-law see her as a generic wife rather than a person.
Of course, the true stars of the production are the miniatures themselves. Beautifully crafted, they are central to the story's tension. Even as Nella is horrified by the miniaturist's creepy accuracy, she's also in awe of the objects. The show wouldn't work without the miniatures popping on screen, and the production nails it—each unwrapping of a mysterious gift is a thrill.
If you've already seen Taylor-Joy in period dramas like The Queen's Gambit, Peaky Blinders, or Emma, The Miniaturist should be your next binge. While its adapted screenplay isn't as strong as some Masterpiece Theater offerings, the core relationship between Nella and Johannes—two outsiders who share a deep loneliness but can't connect—is compelling enough. It's the performances and beautiful details that bring this story to life and make it worth watching. For more underrated miniseries, check out our list of Hulu miniseries that nail every episode.
