Joan, a new crime drama that begins airing on ITV this week, is based on real life events of a notorious jewel thief referred to as “The Godmother”.

Sophie Turner stars in the new series that tells the extraordinary story of Joan Hannington, the mother turned notorious jewellery thief who made millions swallowing diamonds. Here’s what to know

Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner was joined by real-life jewel thief Joan Hannington at the launch of ITV drama Joan in London on Thursday night

Joan is the protagonist of the show. A deeply scarred woman in her twenties, she flees an abusive relationship with her daughter Kelly and starts a new life in London. While there, she discovers that she has a knack for stealing diamonds – and soon becomes one of the UK’s most notorious diamond thieves.

With input from her family (son Chris Wilding and granddaughter Naomi Wilding) along with Hollywood habitués Joan Collins, George Hamilton and Sharon Stone, the opening episode starts with National Velvet and Taylor’s career as a child star,