Game Of Thrones Star Sophie Turner Is Becoming A Jewel Thief
Sophie Turner to star in an ITV series based on one of the UK’s most notorious jewel thieves, Joan Hannington.
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner has been announced to play the lead role in ITV’s new six-part drama, according to Deadline. Most known for playing Sansa Stark in the fantasy epic series, Game of Thrones, the actress will now be starring in the gritty crime show, Joan, written by Anna Symon. The series will see Turner returning to London to film after residing in the United States with her husband, Joe Jonas, and their two children.
Set in London in the 1980s, Joan follows Turner as criminal Joan Hannington and the underground exploits that earned her the nickname “The Godmother.” Symon (best known for The Essex Serpent and Mrs. Wilson) has penned the script with inspiration from Hannington’s memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, released in 2002.
“I’m so excited to bring Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan,” Emmy award nominee Sophie Turner said of her casting in the diamond thief’s biopic.
The series explores Hannington’s desperation to find the balance between living a life of crime as one of London’s most notorious criminals while simultaneously trying to get her daughter back from social services.
The six-part drama begins with Hannington in her twenties, trapped in a horrible marriage with a violent man. The show follows Hannington’s journey after her husband abandons her, and Hannington turns to crime in order to create a better life for herself and her daughter. Over time she transforms into a successful jewel thief and one of the most feared criminals in London’s underground. An unusual take in the crime genre, the series paints its criminal in a more human light as the audience follows the true story of a desperate mother who is simply trying to give her daughter a better life.
Filming will take place in London and will start next spring. Polly Hill, ITV’s Head of Drama, commissioned Joan. Snowed-In Productions will be producing in association with All3Media International, which will distribute the show internationally. Paul Frift will be heading the project as producer, and Ruth Kenley-Letts, Jenny Van Der Lande, and Neil Blair will executive produce.
British film director, Richard Laxton, will be directing Sophie Turner in her new role as Joan Hannington. He is most well-known for the 2022 television mini-series, The Thief, His Wife, and The Canoe.
While Sophie Turner has been announced to play the titular role of Joan, no other names have been released yet, and it is unclear what other characters will be associated with Joan, the jewel thief.
While filming has been scheduled for this spring, no release date has been set yet. However, based on the filming schedule, Joan will likely be released at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. It will be available to stream for free on ITV’s streaming platform, ITVX.
In addition to her role in Game of Thrones, Turner is well-known for her role as Jean Grey in Fox’s X-Men franchise and Margaret Ratliff in The Staircase.
