Joan: The true story that inspired Sophie Turner's new series
The newest crime drama on ITV taking over our evenings is "Joan," featuring Sophie Turner in the role of the infamous jewel thief Joan Hannington. The show explores her transformation from a mother and homemaker to a significant player in London's criminal scene during the 1980s, earning her the title of "Godmother."
The six-episode drama premiered last night (September 29th) and featured Sophie in the role of Joan, who escapes from her violent gangster boyfriend, Gary. To protect their young daughter, Kelly, Joan decides to place her in care. From there, we witness Joan's initial plunge into a life of crime as she swallows diamonds and forms a partnership with Boisie, a thief and antique dealer played by Frank Dillane.
So, to what extent is this series rooted in real events? And what aspects have been exaggerated for television? Here’s what you should be aware of.
Is Joan's Story Based On Reality?
Absolutely! The six-part series by ITV draws inspiration from Joan Hannington's 2002 autobiography, *I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain's Most Infamous Jewel Thief.*
Before writing the series, screenwriter Anna Symon met with Hannington to seek her approval for telling her story. They collaborated to shape the narrative for television.
"I gathered many stories from the book, and I truly hope – based on Joan’s reaction when she first saw it – that we’ve managed to convey the emotional essence of her character. My goal was to take that essence and the spirit of Joan and transform it into an engaging and entertaining TV series," Anna shared.
Uncovering Joan's True Story
The actual Joan Hannington was born in 1957 and was the youngest of six siblings living in West London. At the age of 13, she left her home and eventually got married to Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber, who inspired the character Gary.
The couple's relationship fell apart, and much like the show, Joan placed their daughter Debbie in foster care. In a similar twist to the series, Joan later met Boisie Hannington, who was 17 years older than her and introduced her to the ins and outs of stealing.
They collaborated and eventually tied the knot when she turned 24. After that, Joan was detained and given a 30-month prison sentence for using a checkbook that didn't belong to her.
Once she was out of prison, she found work at a new jewelry shop without mentioning her past convictions. Despite her fresh start, she resumed her thefts, and in her memoir, Joan confessed that while she was employed there, she ingested about 20 diamond rings and exchanged more than half a million pounds worth of real diamond bracelets for counterfeit ones.
The couple would hide their wealth in a secure bank vault, using it to purchase high-end cars and fashionable clothing, while also enjoying extravagant vacations and traveling in first class.
During this period, Joan and Boisie welcomed a son named Benny. Tragically, Boisie lost his life in a fire in 1987 after orchestrating an arson scheme aimed at obtaining an insurance settlement for their home.
Did Joan Actually Swallow Diamonds?
Absolutely! One of the most unexpected moments in the premiere episode was witnessing Joan swallow three tiny diamonds from the jewelry store safe. Interestingly, this was actually her exact approach to stealing gems in real life.
Even though there weren't any security cameras or electronic means to monitor diamonds back then, Joan chose a reliable approach to keep her jewelry safe.
The real Joan shared that she used to work on producing saliva in her mouth to be able to swallow more rings.
"The greatest bank in the world is your stomach. It's the most secure vault ever created," she noted in her memoir. She would hide her precious gems in a biscuit tin buried in her garden at her council flat in Islington.
She also employed a variety of intricate disguises to aid in acquiring additional jewels.
Where Is Joan Hannington Today?
Following Boisie's passing, Joan made the choice to leave her criminal lifestyle behind. She sold his antique stores and turned her attention to raising her son, Benny.
Incredibly, even though she committed several offenses, she faced prosecution just two times. The first instance was for stealing a car so she could visit Debbie, a scene depicted in the series. The second time was when she got caught using a stolen checkbook.
In her memoir published in 2002, she shared that she attempted to reach out to her daughter Debbie after social services prevented them from coming together, but she did not specify how their relationship is currently. Additionally, she mentioned that she fell in love again following Boisie's passing.
Joan is moving forward on ITV.
Senior Writer for Entertainment and Lifestyle
Lydia Venn serves as the Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer for Cosmopolitan UK. She writes about a wide range of topics, including TV shows, movies, and the latest news about celebrities. Additionally, she frequently contributes to the work/life section, creating quizzes, exploring exciting new food products, and sharing must-have items for home decor. Throughout her career, she has interviewed a variety of stars, from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her articles have even been featured in an episode of The Kardashians. Lydia earned her degree in English from the University of Exeter and began her career in fashion journalism with the Daily Express. She then took on the role of Features Editor at The Tab, where she also appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Talk Radio. An expert on Gilmore Girls and early 2000s teen movies, she enjoys relaxing with a margarita while binge-watching the Real Housewives in her spare time. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
