Sophie Turner transforms into notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington as filming begins for Joan

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

Richard Laxton (Rain Dogs, The Thief, His Wife, and the Canoe, Mrs Wilson) directs 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.

Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties who is deeply scarred and vulnerable, opens the series. She is a loving mother to her six-year-old daughter Kelly, but she is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary flees, Joan seizes the opportunity to start over for herself and her daughter.

Joan becomes a skilled jewel thief after adopting new identities and making new friends along the way. She embarks on an exhilarating, high-stakes journey that tests her every limit, driven by her desire to care for her daughter and provide a safe home for them both.

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

Sophie Turner plays Boisie, a London antique dealer, alongside Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent, Fear the Walking Dead, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince). Nancy, Joan’s older sister and a salon worker, is played by Kirsty J. Curtis (Match Not Found, Harlots), while Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (I May Destroy You, Top Boy) plays 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).

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) are among the new cast members.

Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse, The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike), CEO of Snowed-In Productions, and Jenny Van Der Lande (Strike, You Don’t Know Me, Too Close) executive produce Joan. Neil Blair (The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), Chairman of Snowed-In, Richard Laxton, and Anna Symon are the creative directors of Snowed-In. The producer is Paul Frift (Anansi Boys, Deep State, Good Omens).

Polly Hill, the Head of Drama at ITVX, has commissioned Joan.

The international distribution of the drama will be handled by All3Media International. The show is produced in collaboration with All3Media International and The CW Network in the United States.