Leading independent distributor All3Media International has announced presales for upcoming drama JOAN, which stars Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) as notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington. The deals will see the premium six-part drama from Snowed-In Productions travel across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Canada and Latin America joining previously announced commissioning broadcaster ITV in the UK and co-producer CW in the US.
JOAN is a powerful story inspired by the fascinating life of Joan Hannington and is set in the fun, brash, aspirational world of 1980s London.
The drama has been acquired by numerous broadcasters and platforms in Europe including Magenta TV (Germany), SVT (Sweden), NPO (Netherlands), DR (Denmark), NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland), Canal+ (France and French speaking territories) and Blue Entertainment (German-speaking Switzerland and Lichtenstein). Also signing the drama are RTE (Eire), Hellenic Telecommunications (Greece), Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (Cyprus), RUV (Iceland) and HOT and Yes TV in Israel.
Joining the US partner The CW In America, JOAN will also travel to Canada and Latin America. CBC will premiere the series in Canada with BritBox taking a second window for the territory. In Latin America NBC Universal has acquired the six-part series in a pan territory deal.
Throughout the rest of the world JOAN has been acquired in a pan-territory deal agreed with Prime Video in Africa. Stan will premiere the series in Australia, Sky Network Television has signed a deal in New Zealand, whilst ABC Commercial has taken home entertainment rights covering Australia and New Zealand. BBC Studios has picked up the series in a pan territory deal covering Asia, India and India subcontinents for its premium SVOD drama channel, BBC First, and its multi-genre SVOD service, BBC Player, with plans to offer Joan as ‘Express from UK’.
In Asia Pumpkin Films has licensed JOAN in China and BBC Studios has picked up the series in a pan territory deal covering Asia for its premium SVOD drama channel, BBC First, with plans to offer JOAN as ‘Express from UK’.
Louise Pedersen, CEO at All3Media International, commented, “As proven by this strong global demand, Snowed-In Productions’ JOAN delivers everything our international clients are looking for in a premium drama: a distinctive setting, complex characters, and a powerful story inspired by real life, all brought to our screens by an acclaimed cast and creative team. Our earlier coproduction agreement with The CW combined with this raft of new presales will ensure viewers around the world can experience Joan’s compelling story, and we look forward to signing more acquisitions ahead of – and beyond – the drama’s debut in the UK and US.”
Ruth Kenley-Letts, CEO Snowed-In Productions commented, “We are super thrilled with the raft of pre-sales All3Media International has achieved for JOAN. It’s been a glorious journey for us working with such stellar broadcasters who have been so supportive to the show from the off alongside the brilliant team at All3. We can’t wait to unleash JOAN to viewers all around the world.”
Created and written by acclaimed screenwriter Anna Symon (The Essex Serpent, Mrs Wilson) and directed by BAFTA award-winning Richard Laxton (Rain Dogs; The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe; Mrs Wilson), JOAN brings to life an exhilarating yet emotional story set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1980s – an era known for its bold fashion trends, iconic music and cultural shifts.
The series opens with Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties who is deeply scarred and vulnerable. She is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter, Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous marriage with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary goes on the run, Joan seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter.
Adopting new identities and making new acquaintances along the way, Joan becomes a masterful jewel thief. She embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes journey that challenges her every limit, driven by her desire to care for her daughter and create a secure home for them both. Through her sharp intelligence, charm, and talent for impersonation and performance, we follow the twists and turns in Joan’s life, the ups and downs, the heartache and the joy that makes this story so compelling to follow.
Sophie Turner stars alongside Frank Dillane (Renegade Nell, Fear the Walking Dead, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), Kirsty J Curtis (Rise of the footsoldier, Harlots), Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (I May Destroy You, Top Boy) and Laura Aikman ( Archie, Gavin & Stacey). Also joining the series are Nick Blood (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Safe), Jack Greenlees (Strike, Harlots), Alex Blake (The Crown, Chernobyl), Caroline Faber (Grantchester, Berlin Station) and Dorothy Atkinson (The Gold, Stonehouse).
Commissioned for ITV, UK, and produced in association with The CW, USA, and All3Media International, JOAN is produced and executive produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse, The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike), CEO of Snowed-In Productions; Jenny Van Der Lande (Strike, You Don’t Know Me, Too Close), Creative Director of Snowed-In; Neil Blair (The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), Chairman of Snowed-In; Richard Laxton; and Anna Symon. Paul Frift (Anansi Boys, Deep State, Good Omens) is the producer. JOAN has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill.
