Taylor Russell

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Taylor Russell
File:Taylor Russell (41106812711) (cropped).jpg
Russell at the WonderCon 2018
Born Taylor Russell McKenzie
(1994-07-18) July 18, 1994 (age 30)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation Actress
Years active 2012–present

Taylor Russell McKenzie (born July 18, 1994) is a Canadian actress. Her accolades include a Gotham Award and nominations for two Black Reel Awards, an Independent Spirit Award and a Saturn Award.

In television, Russell has starred as Judy Robinson in the Netflix science fiction series Lost in Space (2018–2021). Her film roles include playing Emily in the critically-acclaimed drama Waves (2019), the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls (2020) and the horror franchise Escape Room (2019–2021).

Early life

Taylor Russell McKenzie was born on July 18, 1994 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was raised in Vancouver and Toronto, Ontario.[1] She is the child of a Black father and White mother, and states in interview that she grew up mostly with her mother's side of the family and that she identifies as mixed race. In TheGrio.com she recalls experiencing racism and colorism growing up, stating that she had "Black girls not accepting me because I’m too light-skinned… and white girls who rejected me because I was different" from them also.[2]

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..[3] In 2014, she starred as Lark Voorhies in the Lifetime television film The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story,[4][5] and Jennifer in the Disney XD television film Pants on Fire.[6][7]

Rusell 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).[3] She also had roles in the teen drama film Before I Fall (2017) and the supernatural horror film Down a Dark Hall (2018).[8]

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 her earned critical praise and a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation.[9][10] 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."[11] The series concluded in December 2021, after three seasons.[12]

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,[13] surpassing initial expectations and grossing $155.7 million.[14][15] 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.[16] IndieWire website dubbed her performance as a "revelation",[17] 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."[17] The Los Angeles Times called her and her co-star Kelvin Harrison Jr. "two of the fastest-rising stars of their generation."[18] 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.[19][20]

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).[21] 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.[22]

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,[23][24] which grossed $51.8 million.[25] She is set to star alongside Timothée Chalamet in the upcoming romance horror film Bones & All, directed by Luca Guadagnino.[26]

Artistry

About the opportunity provided to women of color in science fiction productions, Russell has said, "[I]n space and in sci-fi and in worlds… there aren’t labels of what Black girls should and shouldn’t be… Because there are no stereotypes of being “sassy” or whatever box society puts us in now, we have this beautiful space where we’re able to be anything. I love seeing girls who are funny and strong and smart being celebrated. I love seeing more girls like that represented on TV and in movies."[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2013 If I Had Wings[27] Amy Conrad as Taylor Russell McKenzie
2015 Suspension[28] Carrie
2016 UNIT Bryan Robin Short film
2017 Before I Fall Ashley
2018 Down a Dark Hall Ashley
Hot Air[29] 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
TBA Bones & All Maren Yearly Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Emily Owens, M.D. Mean Girl #1 Episode: "Emily and... the Outbreak"; as Taylor McKenzie
2013 Blink[30][31] Jessica[citation needed] 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 28 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation Lost in Space Nominated [32]
African-American Film Critics Association We See You Award Waves Won [33]
Chicago Film Critics Association Most Promising Performer Nominated [34]
Gotham Independent Film Award Breakthrough Actor Won [19]
Indiana Film Journalists Association Breakout of the Year Nominated [35]
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2020 Black Reel Award Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female Nominated [36]
Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominated
Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Female Nominated [37]
Georgia Film Critics Association Breakthrough Award Escape Room and Waves Nominated [38]
Hollywood Critics Association Star on the Rise Waves Won [39]
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Breakthrough Performance - Actress Nominated
Latino Entertainment Journalists Association Best Supporting Actress Nominated [40]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award Won [20]
Seattle Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actress Nominated [41]
Atlanta Film Festival Best Documentary Short The Heart Still Hums Nominated [42]
BlackStar Film Festival Won [43]
Nashville Film Festival Won [44]
Palm Springs International ShortFest Won [45]

References

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External links

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