Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Domestic abuse, smoking in captivating 1980s-set heist show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Joan
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It's the 1980s and a woman named JOAN (Sophie Turner) is raising her young daughter in a simple flat in an English seaside town. Her daughter's dad, Gary (Nick Blood), shows up driving a sports car and gives Joan an extravagant fur coat. After her shift as a bartender in a nightclub, Joan returns home to find that Gary has left their child alone. She discovers that his big spending isn't happening because he's working an above-board job—gangsters break into the flat, wanting Gary's debts paid. Threatened sufficiently by the violent gangsters, Joan grabs her daughter and escapes out the back. Can she keep her daughter safe? Will she find a way to survive?
Is It Any Good?
Sophie Turner delivers a head-turning performance in this character-driven diamond heist series. Thinking her way through desperate circumstances, Turner's title character, Joan, totes a rich inner life; everything she does is informed by volumes she hasn't spoken. The soundtrack, the pace, and the script all work to elevate Turner's excellent acting.
Parents and teens can discuss domestic violence and how it informs Joan's decisions to become a thief. Not for families who are daunted by edgy noir, this show is best suited for those who enjoy crime dramas with a twist of intrigue.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about a complicated example of integrity in Joan. Does acting in the best interest of family survival excuse certain behaviors?
The main character in this show acts courageously in a number of circumstances. What's your default mode of behavior when you're pressed into action? What does courage mean to you?
Characters smoke cigarettes in this series in a manner consistent with a different era. How do you talk about cigarette smoking with teens and kids today?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 2, 2024
- Cast : Sophie Turner , Frank Dillane , Mia Millichamp-Long
- Network : CW
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate