Sophie Turner has admitted she was “overwhelmed” by emotion while filming ITV’s Joan, after starting work on the series during her divorce from Joe Jonas.
Game Of Thrones star Sophie, 28, plays the real Joan “The Godmother” Hannington, now 68, in the six-part crime drama Joan.
The series will follow Joan’s journey from housewife and mother, to petty criminal, to diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London.
At a press conference for the show, Sophie explained that she had no problem opening her eyes, saying: “I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional.”
On September 11, it was reported that Sophie and her ex-husband Joe, 35, of the Jonas Brothers, had finally finalized their year-long divorce.
Sophie Turner has admitted she got carried away with emotion while filming ITV’s Joan, after beginning work on the series during her divorce from Joe Jonas.
Sophie and Joe’s divorce dragged on over their custody battle over their two daughters, Willa, four, and Delphine, two, but was finalised last week.
The process was delayed by an intense conflict between the two regarding custody arrangements for their daughters, Willa, four, and Delphine, two.
On Monday, Sophie made her relationship with her boyfriend, aristocrat Peregrine Pearson, official on Instagram, delighting her followers. She married Joe in 2019.
Speaking about her new role as mum Joan, Sophie said: ‘She’s very funny, but she’s been through a lot of trauma and she’s very ambitious.
“She is really a very special woman: mother, lover, liar and thief. It’s amazing that it’s all a true story.”
The drama follows Joan as she escapes her violent husband, but has to leave her daughter in care while she tries to recover.
With no money and nowhere to live, he gets a job in a jewelry store, where he steals his first diamonds.
Her life takes a turn for the better when she meets antique dealer Boisie, played by Harry Potter actor Frank Dillane, who takes her on as an accomplice.
Sophie also spoke about harnessing her emotions: “I’m a mother, so anything to do with the kids flows very smoothly. I think sometimes when you’re doing a show like this and there’s diamonds and glamour, you get carried away by all that.”
Speaking at a press conference for the show, Sophie explained that she had no problem opening her eyes, saying: ‘I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional.’
“You have to remember that this is to give her daughter a solid, stable life so she can get her back. And it’s a really heartbreaking story.”
Sophie said of Frank: ‘During this process we became very close friends. It was imperative that we had a good relationship and I think I fell a bit in love with Frank artistically, because the way he works is fascinating. I really found myself depending on him for a lot of things, as far as emotions go.
Frank says the feeling was mutual. “Sophie is very easy to like,” he says. “It was a pleasure.”
Sophie listened to Wham, ABC, The Pretenders and Bucks Fizz for three weeks to get into the role of the 80s-era character. Screenwriter Anna Symon says the drama is based on Joan’s 2002 memoir I Am What I Am.
Joan said: “I was captivated by her. She is a complex and extraordinary woman, vulnerable and strong. She makes some terrible decisions, but she is someone people can relate to.”
The real Joan Hannington, who is no longer a shoplifter, was delighted with Sophie’s performance. Speaking at a launch event in London with her son Benny, she said: “I’m a bit jealous (of Sophie), she’s thinner and younger.
“They couldn’t have picked anyone better, so I give them all the credit. I hope they get the recognition they deserve.”
Joan starts on Sunday 29th September on ITV1 and ITVX
