Joan is a gripping British crime drama miniseries featuring Sophie Turner as the notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington. This six-part series is crafted by Anna Symon, who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Helen Black, and it is based on Hannington’s memoir I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, published in 2004.
Directed by Richard Laxton, the cast includes Frank Dillane, Mia Millichamp-Long, Kirsty J. Curtis, Gershwyn Eustache Jr., and Tomi May in key roles.
The series kicks off with a riveting episode that chronicles the struggles Joan faces as she navigates her dangerous life with her husband, who is entangled with ruthless criminals, putting both her and her daughter at risk. Concerned for her daughter Kelly’s safety, Hannington makes the difficult decision to place her in a child services facility. In a desperate turn, she steals a car and swallows a handful of diamonds, marking the start of her infamous career as a jewel thief.
Joan: The Story of an Abused Woman and Devoted Mother
The official synopsis of episode 1 states:
“A penniless mother who impulsively steals diamonds from the jewelry shop where she works is propelled into the world of crime as a result.”
The episode opens with a shot of Joan applying her makeup, revealing scars of prior physical assaults on her back, indicative of her struggle for survival while trying to create a prosperous life.
Set in 1980s London, the scene depicts Joan living with her daughter Kelly. Her unreliable husband frequently enters and exits her life, often bringing chaos and threats from his criminal acquaintances, putting Joan and Kelly in peril. She temporarily places Kelly in a child services facility and seeks assistance from her sister, who helps her secure a job at her salon. However, in a moment of desperation to reunite with Kelly, she steals a car.
Caught soon after, Joan’s natural aptitude for theft becomes evident. Subsequently, she lands a job as a sales representative at a jewelry store, due partly to her skills and partly due to the store manager’s unwelcome advances.
Joan’s Partner-in-Crime
While working at the jewelry store, Joan becomes captivated by the shiny gemstones. One night, her manager asks her to stay late for extra work and makes inappropriate advancements. Eager to escape, she heads to the restroom, and upon her return, she discovers the safe open, with sparkling diamonds scattered around. Without thinking twice, she consumes several diamonds and heads to a nearby bar.
At the bar, she encounters a charming young man named Boisie, who treats her to a drink and introduces himself as an antiques dealer. Joan spends the night at his place and, in the morning, ingests more alcohol along with olive oil to regurgitate the swallowed diamonds. She also discovers a stash of cash and a firearm in Boisie’s drawers.
When she visits his shop, she asks Boisie to find a buyer for her diamonds. He agrees and suggests they collaborate on further operations, thus igniting a partnership that evolves into a criminal enterprise focused on stealing valuable gems and art.
All six episodes of Joan are currently available on ITVX in the U.K., while viewers in the United States can catch the series on The CW Network.
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