Apple TV+ is stepping into the action genre with the seven-episode limited series "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Set to premiere on July 15, the series features Taylor-Joy as a con artist on the run after a multi-million dollar heist goes wrong. Her character is pursued by the FBI and a ruthless crime boss (Annette Benning), while also having to confront her estranged father (Timothy Olyphant) and her husband (Drew Starkey), who assisted her in the operation. The cast also includes Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner. Teaser videos showcase high-speed chases, flipped cars, and Taylor-Joy's melancholic expressions in her motorcycle jacket.

It's surprising that Taylor-Joy's turn as a femme fatale has come so late. Her silk robes and sleep-deprived eyeliner in "The Queen's Gambit," her ability to convey much of her character's essence through mere glances in "The Menu," and her post-apocalyptic look in "Furiosa" all demonstrate how well-suited she is for this genre. Her face seems born for secrets, capable of transforming from vulnerable to stone-cold killer in a single shot. Therefore, "Lucky" is a fitting choice for Taylor-Joy in every way.

Apple TV+'s catalog has primarily focused on intellectual content until now. Productions like "Slow Horses" or "Silo," which include action elements, often bury excitement under layers of knowledge and genre stylistics. These are thoughtful series sensitive to the pulp genre, which occasionally settles for chases. Even "Sugar," the closest Apple TV+ has come to noir, was more concerned with the detective's intellectual conflicts than physical struggles. However, "Lucky" appears different. Adapted from a Marissa Stapley novel selected by Reese Witherspoon's Book Club, the series is expected to present something poignant about motherhood, but instead brings flipped cars and desert explosions.

Credit where credit is due: despite Apple TV+'s struggles with marketing, it has taken this bold step, largely thanks to Taylor-Joy's own production involvement. The actress serves as a producer under the LadyKiller banner, with Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and Lauren Neustadter supporting the project. What makes "Lucky" intriguing is that it operates outside the comfort zones of both the streaming platform and its lead actress, as Apple leans into the limitless pulp genre for the first time, while Taylor-Joy embarks on her first lead series since "The Queen's Gambit," combining what she learned from George Miller with her creative dramatic talent.

The most exciting aspect of "Lucky" is not just watching Taylor-Joy escape in designer jeans, but the female character at the center of the story. Lucky Armstrong is a con artist and thief with her own choices, desires, and body count. The series compels us to root for her despite her choices, not because of them. This represents a new territory for Apple TV+, which has typically framed female leads through their relationships, careers, or the pains of the world. Visually, the initial images suggest that Apple is truly committed. The cinematography features bright, sun-soaked images of America; dusty highways, neon motels, and...