Anya Taylor‑Joy, Oscar‑nominated actress and star of The Queen’s Gambit, The Witch, Furiosa, Last Night in Soho, Dune: Part Two and more, is married to Malcolm Wellman McRae — a musician, actor, and creative talent in his own right. Their relationship is often described as private, artistic, and deeply affectionate. Below is everything currently known about Malcolm McRae: his age, early life, music and acting work, how he and Anya Taylor‑Joy met, their marriage(s), and some personal insights.
Early Life & Age
- Date of Birth: Malcolm McRae was born on April 16, 1994.
- Age: As of 2025, McRae is 30 years old.
- Place of Birth / Upbringing: He grew up in or near Birmingham, Alabama.
- Family: He is the son of William Barry McRae, an investment banker, and Lesley Rainier Wellman. His father passed away in 2012 when Malcolm was about 18 years old.
- Move to Los Angeles: At some point, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his music and acting career.
Music Career
Music is the primary creative outlet for Malcolm McRae. Here are key details about his musical journey.
- Band: He is part of a two‑person band called more* (often stylized *more*), formed with Kane Ritchotte, formerly of Portugal. The Man.
- Roles & Skills: He plays guitar, piano, and sings. His stylistic range includes rock, folk, pop, musical theatre influences, rockabilly, etc.
- EPs & Releases:
- 1/2 — their first EP released in July 2020.
- 2/2 — their second EP released in September 2021.
- Songwriting: The songwriting process has been described as collaborative, evolving over several years. Some songs reflect personal themes (loss, identity, relationships). For example, one track “Elaborate Attraction” is inspired in part by McRae’s own experiences, including his memories of his father.
- Live Performance & Touring: more* has supported established acts such as HAIM, Grouplove, and Bad Suns in live shows and tours.
Acting & Other Creative Work
Besides music, McRae has pursued acting and other creative opportunities.
- Early Acting: According to IMDB and other sources, he was “discovered” at age 12 in a talent competition called AMTC (Actors, Models & Talent for Christ), where he won “Over All Young Actor, 2006”.
- He appeared in a short film called Brotherly (2008) and in How’dy! (2020).
- Daisy Jones & The Six: In the Prime Video adaptation of Daisy Jones & The Six, McRae appeared as one of the bandmates of The Winters, a fictional 1970s band.
- Triton: In 2023, McRae was cast in a fantasy horror film titled Triton, alongside Freya Allan and others.
How Malcolm McRae & Anya Taylor‑Joy Met & Their Relationship
This part of their story is among the more romantic and often reported in media.
- Meeting: Anya first referred to having a partner publicly in March 2021. Their actual meeting reportedly took place around that timeframe, in a music studio.
- First Public Appearance: They appeared together publicly for the first time in March 2022 at the CAA pre‑Oscar party.
- Shared Birthday: Both Malcolm McRae and Anya Taylor‑Joy celebrate their birthdays on April 16, though McRae was born in 1994 and Anya in 1996.
Marriage Secret Wedding & Celebrations
- Secret Wedding: The couple secretly married on April 1, 2022, in New Orleans, with only two best friends present.
- Revelation: In April 2024, Anya Taylor‑Joy shared wedding photos and confirmed this, in a post that said: “Two years ago, on April Fools, I secretly married my best friend in New Orleans… Happy second (first) anniversary my love… you’re the coolest. N.B yes, those are anatomically correct heart cakes. Yes, I am the vampire Lestat.”
- Ceremonial Celebration in Venice: In October 2023 (or late September), they held a larger wedding ceremony at Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice, Italy, with family and friends. Though many thought that was the wedding, the legal or initial marriage had already taken place in New Orleans in 2022.
Personal Life & Public Image
- Personality & Shared Life: Anya Taylor‑Joy has described McRae as someone who shares her love of books and quiet moments. For example, in British Vogue (April 2022) she said that she finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with her reading. She also joked they’re “basically 80 years old and 7 at the same time”.
- Celebrations & Social Media:
- They share birthday posts on April 16 (joint birthday celebrations).
- Malcolm often posts affectionate messages when they are apart for work. For example, in October 2024 he posted “I miss my wife” while they were working in different cities.
- Wearing Their Relationship Publicly: Though somewhat private, they have made several red carpet appearances together (e.g. Golden Globes, premieres).
Other Interesting Facts
- “Really Want to See You Again”: McRae wrote a song titled “Really Want to See You Again” two days after their first meeting, a fact that’s often quoted in stories about their romance.
- Heart Cakes & Wedding Themes: The New Orleans secret wedding had gothic, whimsical touches: anatomically correct heart‑shaped cakes; Anya referred to being “the vampire Lestat” in social media posts about it.
- Work Balance: Anya and Malcolm often live apart due to work commitments. They split time between Los Angeles, London, and travel for film/music work.
Why Their Story Resonates
Several elements make their relationship story compelling in pop‑culture media:
- Shared birthday – A romantic curio that’s often spotlighted.
- Secret wedding + public celebration – The contrast between a private legal marriage and a later celebration gives depth and intrigue.
- Mutual artistic paths – Both are in creative fields (acting, music), and there is evident support and overlap. McRae writes music; Anya has expressed interest in collaborating (if a good script comes).
- ** valuing simplicity** – Their candid appreciation for small, mundane moments, silence together, reading, sharing time, adds to their public appeal.
Summary
Anya Taylor‑Joy Husband Malcolm McRae is an artist whose life and relationship with actress Anya Taylor‑Joy show a blend of artistry, intimacy, and thoughtful expression. Born in 1994, he is 30 years old in 2025. He comes from Alabama, moved to Los Angeles, and works chiefly in music through his band more*, but is branching more into acting. He wrote songs, plays instruments, and has toured and released music under a major record label. Anya and Malcolm’s relationship began around 2021, culminating in a secret wedding in April 2022 and a public celebratory ceremony in Venice in 2023. Along the way, they’ve maintained a respect for privacy, an appreciation for simple life moments, and shared creative values.
