“It was an accident,” admitted producer Horberg. “We thought it would be a small, prestige show for adults. We didn’t predict the social-distancing thing.”
Taylor-Joy threw herself into the role with terrifying commitment. She learned to play chess at a competent level, ensuring her hand movements were precise and confident. She worked closely with chess consultant Bruce Pandolfini (who had consulted on the book decades prior) and grandmaster Garry Kasparov. Creating the Queen-s Gambit
, a fictional orphan who becomes a chess prodigy while battling substance abuse. Inspiration “It was an accident,” admitted producer Horberg