Is new ITV drama Joan based on a true story?

The latest ITV drama that everyone seems to be talking about is now in full swing. The first episode of the six-part series Joan hit screens last weekend. All episodes are now available to binge-watch on ITVX.

As viewers quickly become captivated by the captivating drama, the question on everyone’s lips seems to be: Is “Joan” based on true events?

The answer is yes. Joan Hannington is a real person.

Created by Anna Symon, the 2004 adaptation of Hannington’s memoir I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief follows Joan’s journey from housewife and mother to petty criminal, diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London Years.

The drama synopsis reads: “Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties, is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous marriage to a violent criminal named Gary. If Gary carries on.” While on the run, Joan takes the chance to build a new life for herself and her daughter.

“Joan takes on new identities and makes new acquaintances along the way. She develops into a master jewel thief. She embarks on an exciting, risk-filled journey that will challenge her to her limits, driven by her desire to create a safe home.”

The basics of the real Joan’s life are reflected in the ITV series. Directed by Richard Laxton, the film stars Game Of Thrones’ Sophie Turner as Joan Hannington and Frank Dillane as her husband Boisie Hannington. But some aspects of Joan’s story were changed for the series, such as merging her six siblings into one character – a sister and hairdresser called Nancy, played by Kirsty J Curtis – reports PA.

“Joan’s story is essentially set in Islington, but it’s really difficult to film scenes in London these days because every high street is full of Gail’s. King’s Cross…check it out now. It’s a completely different place. You can’t get the gritty London of the ’80s, but Birmingham offered us better locations and was simply more economical,” says executive producer Ruth Kenley-Letts.

“I watch this show over and over again and can’t quite believe we achieved what we did with our budget. That’s up to Richard [Laxton] for selecting great costume and makeup department heads,” reports PA.

Turner describes the experience at a press conference for Joan in London, which Hannington also attended, as “amazing… it was the thrill of my career” and says, “To be able to play someone like Joan, who is so diverse… is so weird.” , but she’s been through so much trauma – she’s so ambitious and she’s all of those things: mother, lover, liar, thief, but there’s really so much in her. I just felt like it would be the greatest pleasure to get to play her. And it’s just remarkable that this is all a true story.”

Joan is on ITV every Sunday at 9pm and the full series can be seen on ITVX.