COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

The Game of Thrones actress grew up in Warwickshire



A mystery production filmed in Coventry centre can now be revealed as a TV show starring Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner. Empty shops on Hay Lane in the city centre were transformed into an old-fashioned parade for filming over the past seven days.

The show called 'Joan' is a six-part ITVX drama set in 1980s London and based on the life of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington.

Turner stars in the title role along with Harry Potter actor Frank Dillane as antiques dealer Boisie.

The 27-year-old actress rose to global fame as a teenager after being cast as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. She grew up in Warwickshire near Leamington Spa, attending local schools and the Playbox Theatre company from a young age.

Her later roles include Jean Grey in the rebooted X-men franchise and a scene-stealing cameo in teen flick 'Do Revenge.' Speaking after 'Joan' was announced last year, Turner said: "I’m so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington’s fascinating life story to screen in Joan.

"She is one of the most notorious figures in the criminal underworld of London, earning her the nickname “The Godmother.”

"A woman who goes between her thriving and daring career as a jewel thief, all whilst trying to get her daughter back from social services, we see a mother in despair swept up in the exhilarating world of crime."

Filming for the show started in Herne Bay last month and will continue at locations in Birmingham and the Midlands this summer. The shoot at Hay Lane began on Thursday 8 June and ended yesterday (14 June.)

Production teams gave the cobbled street an eye-catching vintage makeover and old cars and even a bus were also seen around the area. Cast members in 1980s outfits could be seen on set as crew moved giant lighting screens to set up different scenes.

Passers-by gathered to watch as filming took place in the sunshine, though most of the action was inside a unit designed to look like an antiques store.

Warwickshire's Sophie Turner 'delighted' to be home to film drama



Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner says she is "delighted to be home" as she films a new drama in Coventry.

Empty shops on Hay Lane have been transformed into a 1980s parade, sparking people's curiosity on social media.

On Thursday it was revealed filming was for a six-part ITVX series titled Joan, about a notorious jewel thief.

Turner, who grew up near Leamington Spa, rose to global fame after being cast as Sansa Stark.

The 27-year-old attended Warwick schools and the town's Playbox Theatre company from a young age.

Her later roles include Jean Grey in the rebooted X-Men franchise and a scene-stealing cameo in teen flick Do Revenge.

"I'm so delighted to be home in the area I know and love so well," she said.

Speaking after Joan was announced last year, Turner said: "I'm so excited to be bringing Joan Hannington's fascinating life story to screen.

"She is one of the most notorious figures in the criminal underworld of London, earning her the nickname, The Godmother."

Filming for the show started in Herne Bay last month and will continue at locations in Birmingham and the Midlands this summer.

The shoot at Hay Lane began on 8 June and ended on Thursday.

Passers-by gathered to watch as filming took place in the sunshine, though most of the action was inside a unit designed to look like an antiques store.

Production teams gave the cobbled street a vintage makeover, while old cars and even a bus were also seen around the area.