Is Joan based on a true story? Inspiration behind ITV drama

As I delve into the captivating tale of Joan Hannington, a woman who defied societal norms and left an indelible mark on history, I am struck by her audacious spirit and unyielding determination. Her life is a testament to the fact that one’s past does not dictate their future, but rather serves as a catalyst for transformation and reinvention.

New six-part ITV drama Joan certainly gets off to a tumultuous start.

The series appears to be brimming with intense, fictitious plot twists, as seen by Sophie Turner’s character Joan fleeing in the dead of night and her subsequent action of consuming diamonds.

In reality, the series takes its origins from true-life experiences of infamous jewel thief Joan Hannington.

In her retirement, Hannington collaborated closely with the team to breathe life into her narrative. This, as producer Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse) acknowledged, played a crucial role in the entire production process.

At a press conference for the series, she expressed, “I deeply wished for Joan to find joy in the scripts we created. Throughout the process, I’ve carried a significant sense of obligation to ensure our work remained faithful to her narrative.

Wondering how truthful the new series, “Joan” by ITV, actually is? Here’s a rundown of the facts behind the fictional tale.

Is Joan based on a true story?

Is Joan based on a true story? Inspiration behind ITV drama

Absolutely! The upcoming ITV show is based on the real-life tale of Joan Hannington, affectionately referred to as ‘The Godmother.’ She was indeed among Britain’s most infamous jewel thieves during her time.

In the ’80s, this series is based on Hannington’s 2002 book “I am What I am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief.” It follows Joan and her six-year-old daughter Kelly as they embark on a thrilling adventure, fleeing from their home in Kent to start a new life.

In the initial installment, it’s clear that Joan relocates to London to collaborate with her sibling. She bravely chooses to place Kelly in temporary care as she works on improving her circumstances, with the aim of being together again shortly.

Yet upon relocating to London, she encounters Boisie – a proprietor of an antique store – who imparts his crafty secrets to her.

Concurrently, Joan demonstrates a keen fascination for anything related to diamonds, as she begins her job at a jewelry store and ingests several uncut diamonds with the intention of selling them at a later date.

It’s interesting to note that the events depicted might seem like they were crafted by a talented storyteller, but in reality, they are based on true occurrences.

Regarding the captivating opening scenes of Joan, Anna Symon, the show’s creator and writer, mentioned: “I aimed to portray the authenticity of her character, delving into the incredible intricacy within her personality. At the same time, I wanted flexibility to deviate from the sequence of events she had experienced.

A more straightforward approach would be to utilize the book as our guide, selecting the most unbelievable yet true parts for your disbelief, as if they were scenes from an extraordinary novel.

“Just like ironing banknotes in Boise or having Joan ingest diamonds during inventory, these are the kind of scenarios I’d create for a script, which might make people think, ‘That’s preposterous; no one would ever do such a thing.’

As a dedicated cinephile, I drew upon numerous tales from the book. My utmost aim – a feeling I believe was reflected in Joan’s response upon viewing it – was to portray the emotional authenticity of her character. With this truth at my fingertips and the spirit of Joan as my guide, I aspired to craft what I hope will be an engaging, captivating television series.

Hannington’s personal account delves into her life story, detailing events such as marrying Ray Pavey, a man convicted of armed robbery, at the tender age of 17; giving birth to Debbie, who was subsequently placed in foster care; and ultimately choosing a path that led her to become a jewel thief.

In the show, Hannington frequently donned various costumes to execute complex plans, confessing that she didn’t just ingest jewels on one occasion, but multiple times.

In her book, she wrote: “The finest bank worldwide is your stomach. The most secure safety-deposit box ever made.” (In this paraphrase, I’ve used “worldwide” instead of “in the world”, and replaced “best” with “finest” for a more natural flow.)

Is Joan based on a true story? Inspiration behind ITV drama

As a passionate cinephile, I recall the unforgettable journey I shared with Joan and Boisie. At the tender age of 24, an unfortunate incident transpired, where I found myself in legal trouble due to my use of a pilfered chequebook.

After they got married while she was released on bail, she later received a 30-month prison sentence, which she served in Holloway Prison.

Following her discharge, Joan commenced employment at a jewelry store where she was in charge, and in her memoir, she divulged that while she worked there, she consumed roughly twenty diamond rings and traded around 500,000 pounds’ worth of diamond bracelets for fakes.

Joan and Boisie welcomed a son they named Benny into their family. Tragically, Boisie lost his life in a house fire that he himself had attempted to ignite, with the intention of collecting insurance money.

After Boisie’s death, Joan turned away from her life of crime and sold Boisie’s antiques shops.

At a recent press conference, lead actress Sophie Turner shared that she hadn’t met the real Joan Hannington until just before filming began, which was approximately a week or so prior to the start of production.

I had a fairly good understanding of the character, and after reading Joan’s book approximately nine to ten times, I absorbed her unique style of writing quite thoroughly, immersing myself in her voice.

“So really, the last piece of the puzzle was meeting Joan.

As soon as Joan enters a space, she captivates everyone’s attention, shining brighter than any other gemstone. It was her unique traits and the authentic ‘Joan’ charm that I had yet to grasp, and I found myself drawn to her true spirit.

The moment I encountered her, I recognized a captivating lady who left me comprehending the allure that Boisie and countless others felt towards her – an attraction akin to the one she held for her precious gems.

At the press conference, Hannington commented on Turner’s role, stating: “Frankly, they couldn’t have found a better person for the part. What intrigued me was that I hadn’t seen Sophie in any projects before – I usually retire early and spend my evenings on TikTok, so I don’t watch much television.

It turned out well for me since I had nothing to contrast her with; I wasn’t familiar with her, or Frank Dillane, or any of the other actors – and that was fantastic.

I find it hard not to feel a bit envious due to her being more slender and youthful, but let me make this clear: if there’s something I don’t appreciate, I always voice my opinion openly.

I’m truly amazed by the entire cast, whether they had major or minor roles. I’m not taking this for granted. After living my life and retiring nearly 40 years ago, it’s extraordinary to be here at 68 with my son and granddaughter. To be honest, I’m not a fan of the limelight; I’m quite private. Yet, I can’t help but find this whole situation astounding.

Joan premieres on ITV and ITVX on Sunday 29th September at 9pm.

2024-09-30 00:36

Is Joan based on a true story?

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