You probably know her as the woman who stared down a dragon and made Geralt of Rivia look like a confused puppy. But if you think Anya Chalotra movies and shows start and end with The Witcher, you're missing about half the story.
Honestly, her rise feels like one of those "overnight success" tales that was actually years in the making. She didn't just stumble into a Netflix blockbuster. She fought through the London theater scene first, which is probably why she can deliver a monologue while looking like she’s about to set the room on fire.
The Big Break: Why Everyone is Searching for Anya Chalotra Movies and Shows
It’s no secret that The Witcher put her on the global map. Playing Yennefer of Vengerberg is a massive undertaking. We're talking about a character who starts as a vulnerable, physically deformed outcast and transforms into one of the most powerful (and morally gray) sorceresses on the Continent.
People were skeptical at first. There was a lot of noise online when she was cast—mostly from folks who had a very specific, static image of Yennefer from the video games. She actually ended up deleting her social media for a while just to block out the negativity. Smart move. Because once Season 1 dropped in late 2019, she basically silenced the critics. Her performance was raw.
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Now, as we head into 2026, the show is nearing its end. The Witcher Season 5 has been confirmed as the final chapter, expected to land on Netflix toward the end of this year. It’s a bittersweet moment for fans who have watched her chemistry shift from Henry Cavill’s Geralt to Liam Hemsworth’s version.
Key TV Projects Beyond the Continent
If you only watch her in a purple dress throwing spells, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
- Wanderlust (2018): This was her first major screen credit. She played Jennifer Ashman. It’s a BBC/Netflix drama starring Toni Collette about a therapist trying to keep her marriage alive after a cycling accident. It's awkward, human, and Anya stands her ground next to heavyweights.
- The ABC Murders (2018): Imagine acting opposite John Malkovich. That was her reality in this Agatha Christie adaptation. She played Lily Marbury. It’s a dark, moody piece of television that showed she had the "period piece" chops before the fantasy world grabbed her.
- Sherwood (2019): This one is often overlooked because it’s a voice role. She played Robin Loxley in this animated reimagining of Robin Hood. It’s worth a watch if you want to see her range without the visual of her Witcher makeup.
Entering the DC Universe and Voice Work
Anya is currently making a massive pivot into the superhero world, though not in the way you might expect. James Gunn tapped her to join the DCU (DC Universe) as Circe in Creature Commandos.
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Circe is an immortal goddess—basically a sorceress on steroids—which feels like a natural evolution from Yennefer. While Creature Commandos is animated, Gunn has been vocal about the fact that actors in the DCU will play their characters across animation, live-action, and even games. This means we might actually see Anya Chalotra in a live-action DC movie sooner than we think.
Speaking of games, she’s been busy there too. She voiced Haroona in the 2024 game Unknown 9: Awakening. It’s a role that required a lot of motion capture work, essentially making it a digital "movie" performance.
The Theater Roots (Where the Magic Actually Started)
You can’t talk about her filmography without acknowledging the stage. That’s where the "pre-fame" Anya Chalotra lived.
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- Much Ado About Nothing (2017): She played Hero at Shakespeare’s Globe. If you’ve ever been to the Globe, you know there’s nowhere to hide. You’re outside, the audience is right there, and the energy is frantic. She earned a nomination for The Stage Debut Award for this.
- The Village (2018): She took the lead at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. This was a heavy, intense role that proved she could carry a production on her own shoulders.
- Cold War (2023-2024): More recently, she returned to the London stage at the Almeida Theatre. It was a massive hit, and critics noted that despite her global TV fame, she hadn't lost that "theater kid" intensity.
What’s Next for Anya in 2026?
The transition from a long-running series like The Witcher to a "post-franchise" career is always tricky. Ask anyone from Game of Thrones. But Anya seems to be hedging her bets well.
We have The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep—an animated film where she returns to voice Yennefer—and of course, the final live-action season. But the real excitement is in the "unannounced" projects. Rumors have been swirling about her taking on more lead roles in independent films, looking for something grittier and more grounded than the high-fantasy world.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you’re following Anya’s career for inspiration or just want to see more of her work, here is how to navigate it:
- Watch the early stuff: Check out The ABC Murders. It’s only three episodes and shows a totally different side of her acting style.
- Follow the DCU news: Keep an eye on the Paradise Lost series casting. Since she’s already Circe in the animated branch, there's a high probability she'll cross over into the live-action Wonder Woman prequel world.
- Track the West End: She clearly loves the stage. If you're in London, keep an eye on the Almeida or the National Theatre; she tends to pop back there between filming seasons.
Anya Chalotra isn't just a "Netflix star." She’s a classically trained actress who happened to land a role that made her a household name. Whether she’s playing a sorceress, a goddess, or a grieving daughter in a BBC drama, she brings a specific kind of "controlled fire" to the screen.
Start by catching up on her voice work in Twilight of the Gods while waiting for the final Witcher episodes. It’s the best way to see how she’s evolving beyond the world of Geralt and Ciri.