Joan Hannington has revealed she had no idea who the star was when she was cast (Picture: ITV)
The real Joan Hannington has revealed her real thoughts when it comes to being portrayed by Sophie Turner in the new true-crime ITV series.
The vibrant series set in the 80s is inspired by the real-life Joan Hannington, the author of I am What I am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief.
Joan, 68, was at one point in the 80s known as ‘the Godmother’ and was one of Britain’s most successful diamond thieves.
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner is portraying Joan on screen for ITV’s miniseries, which kicks off on Sunday night.
Amid the excitement for the highly anticipated series, the real Joan Hannington has given her two cents about being portrayed by Sophie, revealing she was clueless about the star’s fame.
In a Q&A panel about the show, the real Joan revealed that while she had never heard of Sophie, she thinks ‘they couldn’t have got anyone better.’
Sophie called the role the ‘thrill of her lifetime’ (Picture: ITV)
The real Joan Hannington is now in her 60s (Picture: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)
‘They couldn’t have got anyone better. And for me, the good part was I’d never seen Sophie in anything I’m in bed at seven o’clock every night of my life. I’m addicted to TikTok so I don’t watch much telly, which was a good thing, because I didn’t have anything to compare her to,’ she revealed.
But it wasn’t just Sophie she was unfamiliar with, the former jewel thief revealed she had never hear of Frank Dillane, who plays her husband Boisie Hannington, or any of the other cast members.
‘I walked in, didn’t know Frank. Didn’t know anything, not one of them, which was great.
The only drawback to being played by the beautiful actress? ‘I’m a bit jealous, because she’s slimmer and younger.’
She then added firmly: ‘I think she and I think everybody here knows me well enough, and if I didn’t like it, I’d say so.’
‘I’ve led a certain life, although to be, you know, I’ve been retired 40 years. This was all, as you know, in the 80s – I just thought I’d get that in there!’
‘But kudos to Madame, she’s done an amazing job,’ said Joan, praising her on-screen counterpart.
Sophie and Frank star as a couple in the series (Picture: ITV)
The creators revealed that Joan had a major hand in creating the series and they wanted to make sure she was happy with the final product.
In a sweet twist, her son, known as Benny Banks, has a cameo in one of the scenes where Joan and Boisie meet for the first time.
‘It was amazing because the scene that we meet first in the pub at the bartender was played by Joan’s son, Benny, right?’ Sophie revealed.
‘Yeah, which was so cool to have that because, you know, it’s the moment his parents meet, and he got to be there, and …read more
Source:: Metro
