Sophie Turner, known for her iconic roles in ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’, is poised for a major TV comeback with a new thriller titled ‘Joan’. This six-part drama, airing on ITV’s streaming service ITVX this autumn, delves into the captivating true story of Joan Hannington, a prolific diamond thief dubbed ‘The Godmother’ in London’s criminal underworld during the 1980s.
‘Joan’ traces Hannington’s incredible journey from a young woman escaping an abusive relationship to her transformation into a skilled and cunning criminal mastermind. The series begins with 19-year-old Joan facing the heartbreaking decision of surrendering her two-year-old daughter Kelly to voluntary care. Determined to provide a better life for herself and her child, Hannington embarks on a path of calculated risk and strategic cunning, leveraging her sharp intelligence, charm, and talent for impersonation.
‘Joan’ is based on Hannington’s own explosive memoir, ‘I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief’. Screenwriter Anna Symon, known for her work on the AppleTV+ adaptation of ‘The Essex Serpent’, consulted with Hannington during the development of the series. Symon aimed to delve deeply into Hannington’s backstory and motivations, providing a nuanced and compelling perspective on the woman behind the notorious moniker.
Turner, who takes on the lead role, shared her attraction to the project with Vogue, stating, “I think I’m always drawn to the characters that have gone through so much in their lives that come out of it so strong, resilient.” She further reflected on how the role provided an outlet for her own emotional processing, saying, “I’m not very good at processing my emotions. I lock them away and then they’ll bubble up in years to come in some form of depression or anxiety… With this role I was actually able to process those feelings.”
‘Joan’ promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking series, exploring themes of resilience, motherhood, and the choices made under extraordinary circumstances. With its compelling story, talented cast, and insightful portrayal of a real-life iconoclast, ‘Joan’ is sure to be a standout thriller on ITVX this autumn.
