Joan

The poor reviews here are to me amusing, it's a good series the acting is great, the characters are well developed but hold on here the story is great, no one complained about Atomic Blonde it's the soundtrack aswell that's brilliant, epitomises the music at that time it's realistically set in how London was at that time, the it's a pity that people can't pull back and just enjoy something like this, pull your heads in and just enjoy it , the comments I'm reading gets me thinking have to watched the same series, don't see those comments about snatch or kill bill glorifying violence, I'm laughing.

Joan has no choice but to leave her violent partner, with nowhere to go she places her daughter in temporary care. In a pub Joan encounters a man named Boisie, who recognises a talent Joan has, for stealing.

Joan is an interesting subject, I'm not sure she comes across as a particularly good or likeable person, her motives throughout seemed totally selfish.

It's a very watchable, beautifully made series, it truly looks so good, the fashions, sets and cars all bring the 1980's back to life.

It may be a little on the slow side to start, but it opens up well, episode six is particularly good, it's a very dramatic conclusion. It could have worked better over four episodes.

Sophie Turner delivers a terrific performance as the title character, you really do see Joan develop from a woman escaping an abusive partner, to a sophisticated jewel thief. Turner's transformations are terrific, effortless almost.

7/10.

Well, I certainly enjoyed the trip down memory lane back to the 80s. I served in the Met Police back in the 80s and it reminded me of some of the ne'er-do-wells I had to deal with back then.

It was interesting to see Sophie Turner going blue collar and embracing her inner Cockney. I thought she handled the role quite well and showed some versatility in a change from the stuff I've seen her in before.

The supporting cast were quite good, too. It was well-paced, good locations and nicely shot. The script was a bit weak at times, but not to the extent it made it less enjoyable.

The excellent 80s soundtrack was a joy, too. I hope they release the original song from the end credits, as they'd have a hit on their hands!

Well worth your time and, as they have set a second series, I hope they make it!

It's 1985. Single mother Joan O'Connell (Sophie Turner) escapes after her petty criminal boyfriend gets in trouble with violent gangsters. She is forced to place her daughter with the authorities while she tries to start again in London. She steals gems from her workplace. She joins crooked antiques dealer Boise Hannington (Frank Dillane) on her way to becoming a real life Godmother.

I think this is a limited series. It could continue, but I don't know about any future plans. As it stands, it's six episodes of about forty five minutes each. That's four and a half hours in total. Some of it feels slow. The crimes are not actually that thrilling. Her desperation for her daughter is the most emotionally compelling. This needs some condensing in order to quicken certain parts.

My wife and I have just finished watching the full series and I have to say that we were gripped from the very start.

Whoever cast Sophie as Joan certainly knew their job and knew it well. As a matter of fact, the whole cast were brilliant and I don't think they could have picked anyone better.

After watching Sophie in the Game of thrones, I was surprised she did so well for her first major casting. But after this performance, I can honestly say that I would go as far as saying that she truly has to be one of the best actresses in the UK at the moment.

Also, I have to give credit to the actor that played Boisie (His name slips me sorry). Again, he gave a superb performance and his and Sophie's on screen chemistry was nothing short of awesome.

All in all, I loved it and it makes me want a season two. Fingers crossed.