ITV Commissions Sophie Turner-Led Drama

ITV has ordered the six-part drama Joan for ITVX, with Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) starring in the titular role.

The drama is inspired by the life of the U.K.’s notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington, who began as a petty offender and rose to be a highly talented diamond thief. Screenwriter Anna Symon (Mrs. Wilson, The Essex Serpent, Deep Water) is adapting Hannington’s story for TV based on her memoir.

Joan is being produced by Snowed-In Productions, with Richard Laxton (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe; Honor; Mrs. Wilson) directing. Executive producers are Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse, The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike), CEO of Snowed-In Productions; Jenny Van Der Lande (Strike, You Don’t Know Me, Too Close), creative director of Snowed-In; and Neil Blair (The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), chairman of Snowed-In. Paul Frift (Anansi Boys, Deep State, Good Omens) is producing. All3Media International will be responsible for international distribution.

“I’m so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan,” Turner said. “She is one of the most notorious figures in the criminal underworld of London, earning her the nickname ‘The Godmother.’ A woman who goes between her thriving and daring career as a jewel thief, all whilst trying to get her daughter back from social services, we see a mother in despair swept up in the exhilarating world of crime.”

“Joan’s story is incredible, making a success of life when the stakes seem stacked against her by not playing by the rules,” said Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV. “Anna’s scripts are brilliant and a perfect fit for ITVX, and I can’t wait to see Sophie Turner step into Joan’s shoes. Set in the ’80s with Richard Laxton directing and Ruth Kenley-Letts and Snowed-In producing, this is a great story with a great team bringing it to screen.”

Executive producers Kenley-Letts, Van Der Lande and Blair commented, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Joan Hannington’s extraordinary and compelling life to the screen. Anna’s brilliant scripts are both heartbreaking and complex, capturing Joan’s vivid and colorful life so perfectly. We couldn’t be more excited to have the wonderful Sophie Turner playing the title role. And in Richard Laxton we have the perfect director to tell Joan’s story.”

“I am so excited to bring this story and Anna’s astounding script to life,” Laxton said. “With Sophie Turner in the title role and the 1980s as a rich and vibrant backdrop, Joan is sure to be an exhilarating and compelling ride.”

Symon added, “From penniless single parent to accomplished diamond thief, Joan Hannington’s life story is a thrilling, rags-to-riches rollercoaster. I couldn’t be more excited to watch the stellar talent Sophie Turner step into Joan’s shoes. Ever since I first read Joan’s explosive memoir, I have been desperate to bring her story to screen, and I am thrilled to be collaborating once again with the incredibly talented teams at Snowed-In Productions and ITV. With the brilliant Richard Laxton at the helm, I cannot wait to get started.”