ITV’s Joan drama puts West Midlands film locations ‘on the map’

ITV Sophie Turner and co-star Frank Dillane. — Sophie Turner and co-star Frank Dillane have been filming in different West Midlands locations

I show You how To Make Huge Profits In A Short Time With Cryptos! — Sophie Turner and co-star Frank Dillane have been filming in different West Midlands locations

The drama series Joan has made its television debut, but as well as taking in the plot some West Midlands viewers have enjoyed spotting familiar locations.

Starring Sophie Turner, known for playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, the ITV show is based on the true story of Joan Hannington – a struggling mother who became a notorious jewellery thief.

The programme is set in 1980s London but filming last summer took in some locations across the West Midlands region.

These include Birmingham’s Piccadilly Arcade and Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham as well as Walsall, Coventry and Leamington Spa.

Listen on BBC Sounds: The writer and director talk about filming in Coventry and Leamington Spa

Kavita Masih told BBC Radio WM the series was filmed “literally around the corner” from where she works on Bridge Street in Walsall.

She remembered seeing some filming activity around the area, which she described as “quite a lot of rush”.

“There was a lot of older models of cars around the local area and different forms of outfits, not from this day and age,” she said.

“It was brilliant.”

Kavita Masih said she saw the series being filmed near where she worked

Kavita Masih - a woman with long dark hair, a nose piercing and wearing a black top with a pink zip - stands and smiles at the camera. — Kavita Masih said she saw the series being filmed near where she worked

Claire Ginnever, who also works on Bridge Street, said she saw quite a lot of people gathered around where crews were filming.

“It’s definitely putting Walsall on the map,” she added.

Asked how she felt about the fact the town was being portrayed as London in the series, she said: “Shocking, as if London is better than Walsall.”

The film was said to have created a “rush” around Bridge Street in Walsall

A general image of Bridge Street - an empty road with a row of shops and two high-rise buildings in the background. — The film was said to have created a “rush” around Bridge Street in Walsall

Geoff Lam, who works at Faculty Coffee at the Piccadilly Arcade in Birmingham, said the crews filmed there for two days.

Crews covered up his store’s sign, replacing it with a convenience store sign.

“There’s always been filming and we’re quite aware of it,” he said.

“It does drive a lot of traffic into Birmingham.”

The Piccadilly Arcade in Birmingham was another filming location for Joan

The entrance to Piccadilly Arcade in Birmingham - Piccadilly is written above the entrance in gold letters with automatic doors leading into a shopping arcade underneath. — The Piccadilly Arcade in Birmingham was another filming location for Joan

Mr Lam said quite a few crew members came into the coffee shop while filming was taking place but none of the actors.

He admitted not having watched the show yet but said it was good for independent businesses in the area.

“It might make it a bit more attractive for other filmmakers to come in,” he added.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply