Jewel thief drama Joan is about as thrilling as a stroll round H Samuel – review

2 days ago

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ITV's new drama showcasing the infamous 1980s jewel thief Joan Hannington has been widely promoted as one of this fall's standout shows. There are plenty of reasons to be enthusiastic: Sophie Turner, known for her role in Game of Thrones, takes on the main character, marking her first project since the true crime series The Staircase in 2022. The show features a fantastic soundtrack from the Eighties, with hits ranging from Soft Cell to "Club Tropicana." Plus, there are an abundance of striking, eye-catching wigs along with the sparkling diamonds. Yet, despite all this, it often feels as bland as a leisurely Sunday morning visit to H Samuel.

The beginning of the scene establishes Joan as a clever manipulator who has endured hardships: she lounges in a luxurious hotel room wearing only her bra as she gets ready, her back displaying a series of scars. While looking at a jewelry box filled with rolled-up cash, she picks up the phone, speaking in a refined American accent before dropping a shiny gem on the floor. "For crying out loud, where did that go?" she mumbles, unexpectedly slipping into a straightforward Cockney accent. This opening sets the stage for potential surprises, but Joan soon falls into a more predictable, soap opera-style narrative.

The narrative then shifts back to Joan, who is stuck in her cramped flat on the Kent coast, taking care of her daughter Kelly while her unreliable and criminal husband, Gary, acts unpredictably. One moment he's arriving in a flashy sports car with extravagant gifts like a luxurious fur coat, and the next moment he's disappeared, leaving Joan to deal with questionable characters knocking on her door late at night, inquiring about his whereabouts. (Many scenes are quite dimly lit, and I mean that literally.) It soon becomes clear to Joan that she needs to escape, as Gary’s shady activities are putting both her and Kelly at risk. She makes the difficult decision to leave Kelly with social services—an organization that significantly impacted her own upbringing—and heads to London in search of a job and a new place to stay.

Before long, she secures a job at a jewelry store, where her sleazy manager is eager to conduct a "stock check" in a camera-free room. However, this situation turns into Joan's first act of theft: she quickly swipes a handful of valuable jewels and then heads to the restroom with a crystal bowl filled with gin, intending to clean them up. After this, you might think twice about Bombay Sapphire. While she’s waiting for things to settle down, Joan encounters Boise (Frank Dillane), an antiques dealer who dabbles in theft on the side. He takes an interest in her and proposes that she join him as a partner in crime.

The team working on the drama, led by creator Anna Symon and co-writer Helen Black, with Richard Laxton as director, has expressed in various interviews their commitment to honoring the real-life story of Hannington. Their intentions are clearly positive. By focusing on Joan's deep love for her daughter as her main driving force, the show highlights a profound desperation that underlies her criminal behavior. It also emphasizes the negative influence of the men in her life—ranging from her abusive husband to her inappropriate boss—who ultimately push her to take drastic actions in the only way she feels she can.

However, the script comes off in a flat way that diminishes its potential impact. One vague male character poses the question, "What do you want, Joan?" while another exclaims, "You've got some guts, girl." Turner infuses her character with warmth and a sense of heartfelt commitment to her daughter, yet her performance lacks a sense of humor. The lead actress struggles to find the captivating quality that would elevate her role to something truly unforgettable.

Critics were only given access to the first two episodes, but a quick search reveals that Hannington’s journey remains as challenging and dramatic as ever. She is undoubtedly an intriguing individual, one whose life is sure to captivate anyone in the television industry. However, it’s unfortunate that the complexities of her experiences are sometimes overlooked, presenting a portrayal that straddles the line between “victim” and “girl boss,” missing the nuanced shades in between. What could have been a dazzling account feels more like a cheap imitation.

You can watch 'Joan' on ITV1 and ITVX.