The stars of ITV drama Joan have defended the real-life Joan Hannington.
Joan is played by actress and is based on the real life story of Joan. In a bid to make ends meet and ensure she could have a stable home for her daughter, Joan turns to crime and begins her new 'career' as a jewellery thief.
She runs away from her ex, a criminal named Gary, and soon, she meets another criminal called Bosie Hannington. The pair bond over a drink, but soon she is busy learning all about antiques and she turns into one of London's greatest jewel thieves.
The show has been hit with controversy after some said that the programme glamorises crime. However, two of the stars Frank Dillane and Gershwyn Eustache Junior - who play Boisie and Albie on the show - have defended the real-life Joan.
Speaking on the show today, Frank shared: "I think when you don't have much and you have certain cards that you're dealt. She lifted diamonds off people that had a lot of money. I think we can forgive her for that, personally that's where I stand.
"I guess, in this show, a mother's love can transcend morality. I think that's also what we tap into."
Gershwyn added: "I think both in terms of direction and the way Sophie has played it on the show, you always feel that driving force is there with 'I need to do this for myself and my daughter'.
"I get what you're saying about glamorising crime but we hear so much about criminals of the past if they were men. She's been dealt with the cards she's been dealt and she's not trying to hurt anyone, but it's definitely a grey area."
The real-life Joan recalled in her 2024 memoir about the moment she first stole diamonds.
"One day, I was sent to the safe at the back of the shop, where the CCTV cameras didn’t operate, to collect some loose diamonds. I opened the safe and trays of brilliant white stones glittered back at me," she wrote in her book.
"My heart galloping, I grabbed a handful of diamonds off each tray and swallowed them. I didn’t know it at the time, but I’d swallowed about £800,000 of stones."
The next episode of Joan airs on ITV1 this evening and is on ITVX in full now
