Sophie Turner to star as Britain’s most successful jewel thief, Joan Hannington

SOPHIE TURNER is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most exciting young actors.

While her filmography has been relatively limited since the finale of Game of Thrones — she became a mum after all — she often chooses unique and diverse characters. From playing Colin Firth and Toni Colette’s distressed daughter in the critically-acclaimed series The Staircase to her wickedly hilarious scenes in Netflix’s Do Revenge, Turner always keeps us cinematically guessing.

And her next screen presence definitely caught us by surprise (in the best way, of course!). Turner will be embodying Britain’s most notorious jewel thief during a new mini-series set in the ’80s — and she couldn’t look more the part. Slick blonde bob, crease-cut eyeshadow, icocnic red lip and all.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming British crime-drama titled Joan below.

Related: Sophie Turner is reportedly expecting her second child with Joe Jonas

What is Joan about?

The new British ITV-produced mini-series follows the real-life diamond thief Joan Hannington’s — otherwise known as “The Godmother” — rags-to-riches life. Based on Hannington’s shocking 2004 memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief — the six-part show was also conceptualised with the “criminal mastermind” herself. Screenwriter Anna Symon (The Essex Serpent) met with Hannington on a number occasions in order to accurately pen her unbelievable life and avoid characterising her as a thoughtless villain.

Set in the criminal underworld of 1980s London, the series will first introduce Hannington as a loving mother to four-year-old Debbie. But after a disastrous first marriage to professional crook Boisie Hannington, she embarks on a journey to leave her old life behind and create a safe home for her daughter. However, her misadventures lead to her becoming Britain’s most successful jewel thief — with millions of pounds worth of “priceless” items stolen.

“Making full use of her sharp intelligence, charm, and her talent for impersonation and performance, we follow the twists and turns in Joan’s life, the ups and downs, the heartache and the joy, which makes her story a compelling television drama,” an official description reads.

Expect some sweeping heist scenes in the British capital, an energising ’80s soundtrack — and naturally, lots of dopamine-inducing shoulder pads and power suits.

Who stars in Joan?

Sophie Turner plays the eponymous anti-hero, with a British A-list supporting cast including Frank Dillane as Boisie, Hannington’s husband, and Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (who you’ll know from I May Destroy You and Top Boy).

On the role, the wife of Joe Jonas said she was “excited” to bring Joan Hannington’s life from page to screen.

“I’m so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan. She is one of the most notorious figures in the criminal underworld of London, earning her the nickname ‘The Godmother,'” Turner began.

“A woman who goes between her thriving and daring career as a jewel thief, all whilst trying to get her daughter back from social services, we see a mother in despair swept up in the exhilarating world of crime.”

Series writer Anne Symons also said: “From penniless single parent to accomplished diamond thief, Joan Hannington’s life story is a thrilling, rags-to-riches rollercoaster. I couldn’t be more excited to watch the stellar talent Sophie Turner step into Joan’s shoes.”

Meanwhile, Joan director Richard Laxton said: “I am so excited to bring this story and Anna’s astounding script to life. With Sophie Turner in the title role and the 1980s as a rich and vibrant backdrop, Joan is sure to be an exhilarating and compelling ride.”

Who is Joan Hannington?

Joan takes its inspiration from the real-life tale of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington, who operated in the 1980s – an era known for its music, cultural shifts and bold style (Turner’s red lipstick and crease-cut eyeshadow in the first photographs of the series are enough to make us want to tune in).

The series is written by the acclaimed screenwriter Anna Symon and directed by the BAFTA award-winning Richard Laxton, who brings the emotional and exhilarating story to life. Symon has adapted the story from Hannington’s 2004 memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief.

The youngest of six children, Hannington left school at 13 with no qualifications and married her first husband, Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber 10 years her senior, when she was 17. Seven months later, she gave birth to a daughter, Debbie; by the time Debbie was four, Pavey was in jail. In desperation, Hannington asked social services to place Debbie in foster care.

Shortly after Debbie was placed into care, Hannington stole a car to visit her – the first time she had committed a crime – and was caught by the police. When she and Pavey eventually separated, custody of Debbie was awarded to wealthy foster parents, leaving Hannington devastated.

When did she meet Boisie, her husband and partner in crime?

Hannington worked in sales, using fake references to get a job at an exclusive jewellery store in London’s West End. One day, she was sent to the safe at the back of the shop, where the CCTV cameras didn’t operate, to collect some loose diamonds. She grabbed a handful worth £800,000 and swallowed them whole, eventually selling them on through dealers. After leaving the store a few weeks later, she met Boisie Hannington, an antiques dealer who made his money as a high-class thief.

Overnight, Hannington recalls her bare council flat filling up with priceless antiques, Chippendale chaise longues and oil paintings. Boisie took her to auctions and taught her how to differentiate between fakes and genuine antiques, while she honed her skills at cheque fraud, changing her appearance and accent so that she wouldn’t be recognised. Her real love, however, was always diamonds, which she would swipe from shops by swallowing them.

Boisie and Hannington accumulated thousands of pounds a week in stolen gems, which were stored at a bank in private deed boxes. Hannington claims she had no idea of the total value of their cash and assets, but guessed that it must have run into millions. None of Hannington’s friends knew about her double life, and she and Boisie continued to live in a modest council house, that was filled with priceless pieces.

What was her downfall?

Though Hannington lived the high life – she claimed to go to the hairdresser every day to have her white-blonde hair touched up, and maintained that she had 11 fur coats and 2,000 pairs of shoes – she could not regain custody of Debbie. When she was 24, she was arrested for using a stolen cheque book, then remanded on bail, during which time she married Boisie. Two weeks later, she was sentenced to 30 months in Holloway women’s prison.

When she was released, Hannington successfully applied to manage a top jewellery store, which never checked her references. She swallowed as many as 20 diamond rings while working there, and switched about £400,000 worth of diamond bracelets for fakes.

After Hannington had her son, Benny, her husband went out on a job – and never returned. Four days later, she found he had been killed as he tried to set fire to a house to claim insurance money, leaving her a 33-year-old widow determined to overhaul her life. She sold Boisie’s antique shops and started afresh, moving to Islington in north London. Hannington is still alive today, and has worked closely with screenwriter Symon on the script for Joan. It’s sure to be an edge-of-the-seat portrait of her risky and fascinating life.

When is Joan being released?

The drama began shooting in London in May 2023, therefore it’s likely hit screens at the end of the year. It’s unclear what network or streaming platform will obtain the screening rights in Australia.

With plenty of time until Joan’s release, true-crime fans can take a deep dive into Joan Hannington’s life by reading her explosive memoir.