Sophie Turner stars as real-life notorious jewel thief in new ITV true crime drama

Sophie Turner is set to star as a real-life notorious jewel thief in a new ITV true crime drama.

Turner, who rocketed to fame off the back of her performance as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones is coming to ITV screens in order to play legendary diamond thief Joan Hannington.

Turner is transforming in the role into Hannington, as displayed by behind the scenes photos provided exclusively to LADbible by ITV.

Turner as Joan (ITV)

The show will be based on the real-life Hannington’s book I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief.

Hannington is indeed one of Britain’s most notorious ever jewel thieves – and she went as far as to say once that she ‘does not regret’ ever stealing anything.

(ITV)

She wrote, in a first person piece in the Scottish Daily Record, that: “I never felt guilty about what I was doing. I knew the jewels and antiques were insured and I only stole from people who could afford it. I think it’s wrong to mug a vulnerable old lady.”

Turner, who is playing the role of Hannington, spoke out recently about filming scenes for the show.

Turner will be playing the glamorous jewel thief (ITV)

She said in a press conference for the show: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Co-star Frank Dillane, who played a young Tom Riddle in the Harry Potter films, plays her partner in the show.

She said: “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.

(ITV)

“I really found myself kind of relying on him for a lot of it, the kind of emotional stuff.”

Joan, who is now retired from her life as a diamond thief, said of Sophie Turner: “I'm a bit jealous, 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 will premiere on ITVX from the September 29.