Joan creator explains shocking diamond scene was ‘ripped from the real world’

Finding solace with her sister in London, Joan takes a job in a jewelry store after impressing the manager with her learned knowledge of diamonds.

However, later in the episode, things take a dark turn when her manager wants to spend some time alone with her, taking inventory.

What she doesn’t realize is that Joan has bigger ideas – and they involve an unmanned diamond vault staring at her in the back room.

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So what does she do? Swallowing them, Joan makes excuses and leaves, now much richer because the priceless diamonds are now in her possession.

While the show is certainly inspired by Joan Hannington’s real life, did the swallowing of the diamond actually happen?

Series creator and writer Anna Symon revealed at a press conference for the series ahead of its premiere: “The swallowing of diamonds did happen, the stealing of a car to go to see her daughter while she was in foster care, and then being arrested for it because the car was stolen.

“A lot of things in that first episode in particular were straight out of the real world, ripped out of it.”

Also speaking on a panel during the press conference, Turner described the said scene, saying, “I just remember that they gave me jelly beans, jelly diamonds to swallow because they didn’t want me to swallow them, but they were so sticky they didn’t want them to come off the paper.”

“I ended up putting the real thing in my mouth. But they were rhinestones, so I didn’t swallow them (laughter).”

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She added: “It’s a very important scene and a gateway into the life that she leads, so we needed it to be a complete obsession and fascination with this glowing thing that has been so unattainable throughout her life. Correct. there now in front of her, what are you doing right now? You swallow diamonds.

In addition to Turner leading the cast as Joan, she is joined by Frank Dillane (Renegade Nell), Kirsty J Curtis (Harlots), Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (A Spy Among Friends) and Laura Aikman (Archie).

Joan will premiere on ITV and ITVX on Sunday, September 29 at 9pm.

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