Sophie Turner reveals she’s set to star in a new ITVX drama as notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington

Sophie Turner is set to star as notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in a new ITVX drama, it was announced on Wednesday.

Called Joan, the show is a six-part series set in 1980s London and tells the incredible story of one of the most notorious figures in the city’s criminal underworld.

In a statement, Game of Thrones star Sophie, 26, said she’s ‘so excited’ to bring the ‘fascinating’ story to life.

‘I’m so excited to be bringing this fascinating story to screen’: Sophie Turner revealed on Wednesday that she’s set to star in a new ITVX drama as notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington

‘I’m so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan,’ Sophie 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,’ she added.

Anna Symon is the screenwriter for the project and worked closely with Joan while working on the scripts. 

True story: It is inspired by Joan’s memoir, I am What I am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief (pictured)

While a release date hasn’t been set yet, the project will be filmed in London next year. 

It is inspired by Joan’s memoir, I am What I am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief.

A Synopsis of the new show reads: ‘We’re first introduced to Joan in her twenties, a fiery, uncompromising, and intoxicating character, who is not without her own deep scars and vulnerability, as a doting and loving young mother to four-year-old Debbie.’

‘She’s in a disastrous marriage to a violent thug, and when he goes on the run, Joan seizes the moment to leave her old life. 

‘I’m so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan,’ Sophie said in a statement

‘Inspired by her desire to care for Debbie and create a secure home for her daughter, Joan makes some heart-breaking decisions as she sets her sights on a better life.’

In an Amazon blurb for her book, Joan is described as a ‘true survivor’.

‘Joan married professional bad boy Boisie Hannington, and embarked on a journey to become one of Britain’s most successful diamond thieves,’ it reads. 

‘Literally millions of pounds passed through their hands and Joan and Boisie became members of the criminal elite, but tragedy was soon to strike at the heart of their outrageous lifestyle. 

‘In turns funny, shocking and violent, this is a remarkable raw debut from a true survivor.’

A Synopsis of the new show reads: ‘We’re first introduced to Joan in her twenties, a fiery, uncompromising, and intoxicating character, who is not without her own deep scars and vulnerability, as a doting and loving young mother to 4-year-old Debbie’