Sophie Turner transforms into notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in first look image as filming begins for ITV drama JOAN

Sophie Turner transforms into notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in first look image as filming begins for ITV drama JOAN

ITV and Snowed-In Productions today announce production is underway for the new six-part drama, JOAN, starring Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) in the title role. The series will be produced with The CW Network, USA in association with All3Media International.

The series takes inspiration from the fascinating life of Joan Hannington, a notorious jewel thief, and is created and written by the acclaimed screenwriter Anna Symon (The Essex Serpent and Mrs Wilson) with Helen Black writing episode four.

BAFTA award-winning director Richard Laxton (Rain Dogs, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Mrs Wilson) brings to life this exhilarating yet emotional story set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1980s - an era known for its bold fashion trends, iconic music and cultural shifts.

The series opens with Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties who is deeply scarred and vulnerable. She is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter, Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous relationship with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary goes on the run, Joan seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter.

Adopting new identities and making new acquaintances along the way, Joan becomes a masterful jewel thief. She embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes journey that challenges her every limit, driven by her desire to care for her daughter and create a secure home for them both.

Through her sharp intelligence, charm, and talent for impersonation and performance, we follow the twists and turns in Joan’s life, the ups and downs, the heartache and the joy that makes this story so compelling to follow.

Sophie Turner stars alongside Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent, Fear the Walking Dead, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), as Boisie, a London antique dealer. Kirsty J Curtis (Rise of the Footsoldier, Harlots), plays Nancy, Joan's older sister and a salon worker while Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (I May Destroy You, Top Boy) portrays Albie, an old acquaintance of Boisie who’s made a new life in Spain with his wife Val, played by Laura Aikman (The Split, Gavin & Stacey).

Other actors joining the series include Nick Blood (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Safe), Jack Greenlees (Strike, Harlots), Alex Blake (The Crown, Chernobyl), Caroline Faber (Grantchester, Berlin Station) and Dorothy Atkinson(The Gold, Stonehouse).

JOAN is an exciting new series, executive produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse, The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike), CEO of Snowed-In Productions, Jenny Van Der Lande (Strike, You Don’t Know Me, Too Close) Creative Director of Snowed-In, Neil Blair (The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) Chairman of Snowed-In, Richard Laxton and Anna Symon. Paul Frift (Anansi Boys, Deep State, Good Omens) is the producer.

JOAN has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill. 

All3Media International will be responsible for the international distribution of the drama. The series is produced in association with All3Media International and The CW Network, USA.

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Notes to editors:

In the first-look image, Sophie Turner embodies the bold and captivating persona of Joan Hannington, dressed in 80s women's wear with bleached blond hair, capturing the essence of the era. Alongside Sophie is actor Frank Dillane, who plays Boisie, a London antique dealer. The backdrop is a well-known American-inspired motorway service diner, with the two actors perched against a Ford Capri, adding a sense of nostalgia to the scene.

Photo credit: Susie Allnutt

Filming started in Herne Bay, with the shoot then continuing in locations in and around Birmingham and the Midlands.

British actress Sophie Turner is best known for her role as ‘Sansa Stark’, the eldest daughter of House Stark in the widely acclaimed Golden Globe, SAG and EMMY award winning series GAME OF THRONES (2011-2019). The last series aired on HBO in April 2019 and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Sophie recently starred in THE STAIRCASE (2022) for HBO Max, an eight-episode limited series based on the case of Michael Paterson and the mysterious death of his wife Kathleen in 2001. Further cast included Colin Firth and Toni Colette. Sophie additionally had a comedic cameo role as Erica in DO REVENGE (2022) for Netflix.

In 2019, she returned to the big screen as Jean Grey in DARK PHOENIX (2019) alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy. Her further film credits include; X-MEN APOCALYPSE (2016), HEAVY (2019), JOSIE (2018) in the title role, TIME FREAK (2018) alongside Asa Butterfield and BARLEY LETHAL (2015) also starring Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson and Hailee Steinfield.

Sophie Turner is represented by Independent Talent Group and CAA.