“Stealing diamonds was my drug”

As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for tales of resilience and rebellion, I found myself utterly captivated by the trailer for “Joan”. The 1980s backdrop, replete with shoulder pads, big hair, and the likes of Madonna, is just the cherry on top of this intriguing series.

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Oh, what a fascinating era, the lively ’80s! With its broad shoulders, towering heels, voluminous hairstyles, and icons like Madonna and Princess Diana. It was an epoch ripe with possibilities, especially for ambitious women – and Joan Hannington was no stranger to seizing opportunities.

Joan Hannington’s life was filled with activities that were far from ordinary: car theft, passport forgery, smuggling loose diamonds to sell illegally, frequent stints in prison – it seemed there were no lines she wouldn’t cross. Now in her late 60s, she leads a tranquil life on the English south coast with her dogs. However, her intriguing and turbulent past has been adapted into an enticing six-part series for ITV, featuring Sophie Turner in the lead role.

Writer Anna Symon found herself captivated by the character in Hannington’s memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief. “I was utterly fascinated by her,” Symon notes. “She was a powerful and fierce woman, but also one who bore deep emotional wounds from her past. Her allure was undeniable – she was both strong and stunningly beautiful. And she utilized her charm, if you will, to carry out her criminal activities.

In order for this formerly formidable woman to comply with Symon’s plan, the author shares, who is known for adapting “The Essex Serpent” featuring Tom Hiddleston and the real-life drama of Ruth Wilson and her family, “Mrs Wilson“, we first encountered her in a café situated in north London.

She exuded an aura of danger, despite her captivating persona. It was unmistakable that she was capable and self-reliant. You wouldn’t dare cross her. She made it clear, in no uncertain terms, ‘I won’t allow you to narrate my tale unless you depict what I endured as a child.’ Beneath the glitz of fur coats and diamonds lay a fragile soul, scarred by severe physical abuse at the hands of her father.

In this captivating opportunity handed to me by Hannington, I found myself immersed in recreating London’s perilous, gangster-ridden milieu of counterfeit personas and pilfered jewels. Yet, unlike traditional tales, this time, a strong-willed woman steered the ship. Quite an intriguing twist! As I delved deeper into the character development of Joan, I began to ponder her unique position on our screens. Reflecting on the role, I noted that female characters are held to a more exacting standard; we must determine whether we rally for Joan in ways perhaps not expected when cheering for male protagonists. Unlike Myra Hindley or fictional figures like Villanelle from “Killing Eve,” Joan’s narrative is rooted in reality. She emerged from poverty, suffered countless disappointments at the hands of men, yet refused to be labeled as a victim.

Beneath the fur coats and diamonds was a vulnerable person

Without a doubt, right from the start, when Hannington is seen zooming along the highway in a swiped Triumph TR7, it’s evident that this character exudes independence. As Symon puts it, “She seized control. She derived pleasure from being skillful at theft.” “Stealing diamonds was her form of crack cocaine,” she admits.

Was there ever a concern that the show, with Hannington’s characterization of the “victimless” crime of stealing jewels, might romanticize theft? Of course, this was a topic we discussed during production. However, times have changed; you can’t swap rings in jewelry shops as easily anymore. Back then, shoplifting was much simpler because there were no cameras in stores and no mobile phones. It was a more straightforward era to be a thief.

As the series progresses and viewers witness the unfolding story, they might notice that it loses its glossy appeal. Reality starts to set in for Joan. It’s worth noting that this doesn’t seem to promote a lifestyle of criminality. However, Symon acknowledges, there was an irresistible allure to the world where Joan Hannington flourished. “The glamour was what drew her in. She enjoyed having fine attire and adorning herself with jewels.

Joan came on set and has watched the series. She sobbed through a lot of it

Sophie Turner, much like Hannington, exudes an effortless glamour, yet delves into her roles with a tender touch amidst layers of makeup. It is widely believed that Hannington deeply cares for her daughter Kelly and yearns to provide a brighter future for her child. Symon, the director, finds Turner exceptional, recalling that she landed her first television role at just 14 years old as Sansa Stark in ‘Game of Thrones’. Over the past few years, Turner has been frequently featured in newspapers due to a high-profile divorce and custody issues with singer Joe Jonas regarding their two young children.

In his words, “When I penned the series, there was no specific person in mind.” Symon later adds, “She submitted a self-taped audition; upon viewing it, both the director and I were astonished! We were immediately convinced of her talent from the get-go.” It seems that Hannington herself felt the same way. “They [Hannington and Turner] met before the filming commenced,” Symon explains. “Later, Joan visited the set and has since watched all the episodes. She cried through much of it, but she’s proud. I felt a strong obligation to portray her truthfully.

2024-09-26 16:05

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