Before we start, let's clear the air, or should I say the awful puns that are inevitable in this review. Yes, Sophie Turner is a diamond in the rough, and yes this show proves that diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend - but cliché lines aside, one thing I can say for certain is that the ITV’s does not lose its sparkle. In what could be Sophie Turner’s most glamorous role to date, the show brings the dazzling true story of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington to the screen with the perfect blend of grit and glitz.
Set amidst the chaotic charm of 1980s - think oversized shoulder pads, furs, and the irresistible beats of Boy George - this six-part drama is a high-octane dive into the world of luxury heists, all anchored by Turner’s captivating portrayal of the ‘Godmother’ of London's criminal underworld. Directed by Richard Laxton and written by Anna Symon, who consulted with Hannington herself, feels authentically grounded in its depiction of both the heists and the heartbreaks. Speaking to at the show's launch, Symon shared how it had taken years of fine-tuning to get the story exactly right, and for the most part, that dedication pays off.
The script balances tension and humanity, ensuring that Joan isn't merely a criminal, but a complex woman grappling with motherhood, survival, and ambition. From meeting the real Joan herself, it is a sentiment I can truly vouch for. Turner, fresh from her own recent headlines after her divorce from Joe Jonas and her whirlw.
