Sophie Turner has admitted that she became ‘swept away’ by emotion as she filmed ITV’s Joan, after kickstarting work on the series during her divorce from Joe Jonas.
Game Of Thrones star Sophie, 28, portrays the real-life Joan ‘The Godmother’ Hannington, now 68, in six-part crime series Joan.
The series will follow Joan’s journey from housewife and mother, to petty offender, to diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London.
In a press conference about the show, Sophie explained she had no problem turning on the waterworks, saying: ‘I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional.’
On September 11, it was reported that Sophie and her estranged husband Joe, 35, of the Jonas Brothers, had finally completed their year-long divorce.
Sophie Turner has admitted that she became ‘swept away’ by emotion as she filmed ITV’s Joan, after kickstarting work on the series during her divorce from Joe Jonas
Sophie and Joe’s divorce was lengthened by their battle over custody of their two children: daughters Willa, four, and Delphine, two, but was finalised last week
The proceedings were delayed by intense conflict with the two in regards to the custody agreements for their children, daughters Willa, four, and Delphine, two.
Sophie went Instagram official with her boyfriend, aristocrat Peregrine Pearson, on Monday, delighting fans. She married Joe in 2019.
On her new role as mother Joan, Sophie said: ‘She is so funny but she has gone through so much trauma and is so ambitious.
‘There really is so much to her – mother, lover, liar, thief. It’s just remarkable that it’s all a true story.’
The drama follows Joan as she escapes her violent husband but has to place her daughter into care as she gets back on her feet.
With no money and nowhere to live, she manages to secure a job in a jeweller’s, from where she steals her first diamonds.
Her life takes a turn for the better when she meets antiques dealer Boisie, played by Harry Potter actor Frank Dillane, who takes her on as a partner in crime.
Sophie also said of tapping into her emotions: ‘And I’m a mother, so anything to do with children and it just flows out. I think sometimes when you are doing a show like this and there’s diamonds and glamour, you get swept away by it all.’
In a press conference about the show, Sophie explained she had no problem turning on the waterworks, saying: ‘I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional’
‘You have to remember that this is to provide a solid and stable life for her daughter so she can get her back. And it’s really a heartbreaking story.’
Sophie said of Frank: ‘We became really close actually during this. It was imperative that we had a good relationship and I think I kind of artistically fell in love with Frank a little bit, because the way he works is so fascinating. I really found myself kind of relying on him for a lot of it, the kind of emotional stuff.
Frank says the feeling was mutual. ‘Sophie is so easy to love,’ he says. ‘I found it just such a pleasure.’
Sophie listened to Wham, ABC, The Pretenders and Bucks Fizz for three weeks to get into the ’80s character. Writer Anna Symon says the drama is all based on Joan’s 2002 memoir I Am What I Am.
Joan said: ‘I was captivated. She’s such a complex and extraordinary woman, vulnerable and strong. She makes some terrible choices but is someone people can relate to.’
Now retired from stealing, the real Joan Hannington was thrilled by Sophie’s portrayal. At a launch event in London with her son Benny, she said: ‘I’m a bit jealous [of Sophie], she’s slimmer and younger.
‘They couldn’t have got anyone better – so kudos to them. I hope they get the recognition they deserve.’
Joan begins Sunday, September 29 on ITV1 and ITVX
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