The 1980s is often remembered for its bright colors, big hairstyles, and catchy music. However, this fun image hides some darker stories. In London during this decade, a famous crime boss named Joan Hannington was well-known for planning jewel thefts. Diamonds seemed to be her best friend, at least for a while.
The new ITV drama titled Joan, which will also air in the U.S. on The CW, shows the ups and downs of a woman who was smart at stealing but struggled with how to get back her child.
Sophie Turner, known for her role as Queen Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, stars in this six-episode series as the main character, Joan. The show gives a simple overview of what happened to her but does not dig deep into her background or reasons for her actions.
What Is Joan About?
The story begins with Joan in her early twenties. She tries hard to raise her six-year-old daughter Kelly (played by Mia Millichamp-Long). Joan wants to create a loving home for her child, unlike the one she grew up in.
However, her husband Gary (played by Nick Blood) steals cars and gets into trouble, which puts both Joan and Kelly in danger. To keep her daughter safe, Joan decides to take Kelly to social services so that another family can care for her while Joan searches for a job and a stable home for them.
Joan feels sad and lost after being separated from her daughter. With no clear plans for what to do next, she goes to stay with her sister (Kristy J. Curtis) in London and takes a job at her hair salon. Unfortunately, Joan’s fiery personality and lack of commitment lead her to lose that job quickly.
This is when Joan discovers her talent for stealing. She tricks her way into becoming a sales representative at a jewelry store. Surrounded by beautiful rings and necklaces made of gold, sapphires, and diamonds, she feels tempted to steal them, especially since she does not have enough money and worries about losing her daughter.
In a desperate move, she swallows the jewels to hide them. With help from her partner-in-crime Boisie (Frank Dillane), Joan takes her stealing to new levels. She learns to fake different accents, wear wigs, and dress up in fancy clothes every time she walks into a luxury store.
Sophie Turner Humanizes a Real-Life Jewel Thief in Joan
Joan Hannington was a well-known figure in her time, even earning the nickname “The Godmother.” This series aims to show a different side of the woman behind the headlines. The drama asks, “What was she like when she was not stealing?”
The show succeeds in revealing this side through Sophie Turner’s powerful performance. Turner has had smaller roles in movies like the X-Men series and Netflix’s Do Revenge. In Joan, she shows different sides of her character.
Turner effectively portrays Joan’s vulnerability when she meets with social services, her strong motherly instincts when she visits her daughter, and her cleverness when planning risky thefts. Turner’s commitment to the role shines brightly throughout the story. She proves she can handle any type of character, whether in action-packed films or serious dramas like this one.
If it were not for the emotions Turner brings to her character, the show might not have effectively shown Joan’s deep desire to create a perfect family. Despite her actions leading her away from this dream, viewers can believe that Joan becomes involved in crime for deeper reasons.
Joan’s Style Sets the Tone for the Character’s Journey
Another strong point of the show is its attention to Joan’s clothing. The amazing costume design by Richard Cooke plays an important role in telling Joan’s story.
At the beginning of the series, Joan is young and eager for excitement, which is why she gets involved with Gary. She has a good sense of style, but it is only when she moves to London and cuts her hair into a bob that she starts to care more about her looks.
The costumes, combined with the makeup, highlight Joan’s constant changes as she goes deeper into crime. When she puts on red lipstick, a smoky eye, and a wig, viewers can see that she is dressed to impress.
This also explains why she is seldom caught. Joan is a con artist who knows exactly how to look and what to say to attract people. The people she associates with also live double lives.
Joan Fails to Show Its Characters Past Surface Level
Despite its strengths, the adaptation of Hannington’s life story, based on her memoir titled I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, has a significant flaw. While Turner’s performance and Joan’s fabulous wardrobe add depth to the character, the script does not show the supporting characters enough.
Boisie, an antiques dealer who meets Joan just after her first diamond robbery, shows potential as a romantic interest. However, his reasons for continuing to steal oil paintings and fancy teacups are never fully explained.
Similarly, Albie (played by Gershwyn Eustache Jr.) joins Joan and Boisie in their stealing adventures, but his intentions are always unclear and lack detail.
While Joan gives viewers a chance to see another side of this famous burglar, it sometimes feels dull because of its weak development of supporting characters.
The series, written by Anna Symon (known for The Essex Serpent), could have benefited from more flashbacks or interesting side stories whenever the main character was not on screen. This makes it less exciting compared to other popular heist dramas like Lupin or Money Heist.
Despite these shortcomings, the show demonstrates Turner’s ability to take on complex lead roles. The stunning outfits Joan wears will surely make viewers wish they could wear them too.
Joan premiered on The CW on October 2 at 9 PM ET and will be available on BritBox starting December 5.
