Inside the rise of the Godmother of British crime: How a suburban house wife rose to come one of London's most successful jewel thieves - as Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner plays her in new ITV drama By John James Published: 08:53 BST, 28 September 2024 | Updated: 09:03 BST, 28 September 2024 e-mail View comments Joan Hannington was an ordinary suburban housewife when she swallowed several gems in a jewelry store and calmly left the shop. But it would be her first step down a criminal path that would see her live a life of enviable luxury. Becoming infamous for her eye-catching hairstyles and crafty tactics, Joan embarked on a rollercoaster crime spree throughout the 1980s adopting personas and disguises to rob diamonds at glitzy shops around Britain.
Now at the age of 68, Joan is completely reformed and enjoying a quiet retirement. However the spotlight still has a way of finding her. This weekend, Game of Thrones superstar Sophie Turner , 28, will star in ITV 's new true-crime series Joan which will will focus on some of the more sordid aspects of the jewel thief's life.
At her peak, Joan Hannington was Britain's most successful diamond thief This weekend, Game of Thrones superstar Sophie Turner , 28, will star in ITV 's new true-crime series Joan Teasers of the show so far have seen Turner in a number of strikingly different looks as she showcased the eponymous criminal's numerous disguises. But who was the real crime queen behind ITV's new thriller? Much of what is kno.