Sophie Turner has captivated audiences since her debut in Game of Thrones, but her latest role in Joan might be her most daring yet. In the six-part ITV drama, Turner takes on the complex and thrilling character of Joan Hannington, a woman who rose from a troubled past to become one of London’s most notorious jewel thieves in the 1980s. The series is set to release in September and has already generated buzz for its compelling true-crime narrative and Turner’s transformative performance. But is Joan just another crime drama, or does it offer something truly special?
A Glimpse into Joan’s World: Crime and Glamour in 1980s London
Joan thrusts viewers into the gritty yet glitzy criminal underworld of London during the 1980s, an era defined by its bold fashion, cultural upheavals, and of course, its music. This backdrop serves as the perfect canvas for Joan Hannington’s story—a woman caught between her responsibilities as a mother and her growing obsession with diamonds. The show has the glimmer of luxury and danger, much like its protagonist’s life.
What makes Joan stand out is the fascinating true story at its core. Joan Hannington, a mother who turns to crime when her violent boyfriend, Gary, flees, sees an opportunity to build a new life for herself and her daughter. It’s a journey from suburban desperation to becoming “The Godmother” of London’s criminal elite, and it’s all based on Hannington’s real-life memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, published in 2004.
Sophie Turner’s Career-Defining Role
Sophie Turner’s portrayal of Joan is already being hailed as one of the most pivotal performances of her career. In a Q&A for the show’s release, Joan’s director, Richard Laxton, described Turner as the only actress who could bring the complexity of Joan’s character to life. Turner herself has called the role “the thrill of her career.”
Turner embodies Joan’s duality—her glamour, her vulnerability as a mother trying to reunite with her daughter, and her cold determination in the face of danger. The first-look images of Turner sporting a sleek blonde bob, red lipstick, and bold 80s-style eyeshadow already suggest that this role will become an iconic moment in her career. And while her performance is a standout, she’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including Frank Dillane (Fear the Walking Dead) as Boisie, Joan’s antiques-dealing husband and partner-in-crime, and Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Top Boy) in a key role.
A True Story Filled with Thrills
The story of Joan delves deeper than typical crime dramas, thanks to the incredible life story it’s based on. Joan Hannington didn’t just stumble into crime—she crafted a persona that allowed her to blend into high society while pulling off daring heists. One of the most intriguing scenes in the series, which Turner herself highlighted, is when Joan swallows a handful of diamonds worth £800,000 to avoid getting caught. This is not just a symbol of her audacity but also of her growing obsession with wealth and power.
Her love story with Boisie, a high-class thief who taught her the art of antique dealing and forgery, forms the emotional core of the series. The dynamic between Turner and Dillane is electric on-screen, with Dillane portraying Boisie as an introverted, focused mastermind, while Joan emerges as the more emotionally driven but equally ruthless counterpart. Their love, though rooted in crime, feels real and layered, adding depth to the heist-filled plot.
Joan’s Downfall: The Cost of Crime
Like most tales of the criminal underworld, Joan is not without its tragedies. Joan’s insatiable hunger for diamonds and wealth cannot mask the emotional devastation caused by her separation from her daughter, Kelly (renamed from Debbie in real life). Despite her success as a jewel thief, Joan’s personal life is in shambles, and her attempts to regain custody of Kelly ultimately fail, driving much of the emotional tension in the series.
At the height of her criminal career, Joan lived a life of luxury—visiting the hairdresser daily, owning 11 fur coats, and keeping thousands of pounds in stolen gems hidden away in private bank boxes. Yet, despite all the material wealth, she couldn’t buy back the life she truly wanted with her daughter. When Boisie is killed during an attempted insurance fraud, Joan’s world collapses, leaving her a widow with two children.
After his death, she sells his antique shops and attempts to start a new life, but it’s clear that her story is far from over. Joan Hannington is still alive today, having worked closely with screenwriter Anna Symon to adapt her story for the small screen.
Final Thoughts: Is ‘Joan’ Worth the Hype?
With its compelling true story, stellar cast, and a powerful performance from Sophie Turner, Joan is shaping up to be one of the must-watch crime dramas of the year. It’s not just a series about heists and diamonds—it’s about survival, motherhood, and the high personal cost of living a life of crime. The series promises emotional depth, heart-stopping suspense, and a glimpse into the dangerous allure of the criminal underworld.
For fans of gripping true crime and drama alike, Joan is sure to be a series that leaves a lasting impression. Catch it this September on ITV.
