Kirsty J Curtis On Dyslexia: ‘Joan Hannington’s Memoir Was The First Book I’ve Ever Read Cover To Cover’

The long-awaited first episode of Joan will air on ITV1 tonight at 9pm, led by Sophie Turner as the real notorious diamond thief, Joan Hannington. Playing her sister, Nancy, is Kirsty J Curtis, who you might recognise from the likes of EastEnders, Harlots, Bloods and more. We sat down with Kirsty ahead of the series to talk all things Joan, neurodivergence, and what’s next.

Interview: Kirsty J Curtis

Hi Kirsty, how’s life going at the moment?

The life of Kirsty is never a dull moment – I’m always keeping busy doing all sorts of randomness!

You’re about to star in new ITV series Joan – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

It’s a drama based on a true story set in the 80s about the infamous jewel thief Joan Hannington. It’s sexy, heartbreaking, and dangerous, with a gorgeous cast, iconic music and some killer ’80s fashion.

You play Nancy – how would you describe her?

She is Joan’s big sister, and she is the flipside of what Joan’s life could have been like if she’d taken the ‘sensible’ route – she is a hairdresser and loves her job. She truly loves her sister, worries about her a lot, and tries to guide her so she can get back on track and make something of her life. When Joan turns up out of the blue, although Nancy doesn’t need the stress of her, she is forgiving and kind and gives Joan a chance. Nancy is based on an amalgamation of all of the real Joan Hannington’s siblings who feature in the biography that this show is based on. (You have got to read it! It’s gripping!)

What was it like playing her?

I usually get cast as more ‘out there’ characters, so even though Nancy is the sensible sibling, I was desperate to give her a bit of bite. I had to come to terms that Nancy wasn’t like that and had to strip her right back. Like me, Nancy and Joan have had a working class upbringing in London. Often on TV, we see middle class actors or actors from other parts of the UK playing working class Londoners, so the fact I was cast and got use pretty much my own accent was a win for me. 

I couldn’t wait to get into costume and hair and makeup from the era. I’ve always been a big fan of ’80s fashion, as my mum can testify: every time I find a vintage piece at her house, it ‘goes missing’. 

How did you get into character?

When I found out I got the job, the first thing I did was to read Joan Hannington’s memoir. I’m dyslexic and anyone who knows me will know that reading a whole book from cover to cover is something as an adult I haven’t been able to do. It was the first book I’ve actually fully read. It was just brilliant – I understood the language, and getting under the skin of the story helped me to make choices for playing Nancy. 

On set, I would get into Nancy’s vibe by listening to my playlist of all of Nancy’s ’80s New Wave tracks. The salon always had a banger on in the background, too!

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

As well as all the usual preparation, the biggest thing I did to prepare was cut off all my hair and dye it blonde. I’m naturally a redhead and have had long hair my entire life – I had never even dyed it – but when the hair designer suggested cutting it off and bleaching it and giving me the amazing ’80s wedge cut, I don’t know what took over me, but I was like ‘YES! Go for it!’. I didn’t recognise myself for a long time afterwards. People kept coming up to me in the street and commenting on it.

In the story, because Nancy’s job is a hairdresser and there are scenes in her salon, I asked the producer if I could learn to actually cut hair so that it looked realistic on camera. After I had some lessons, one of the supporting artists let me cut her hair for real – I was bricking it, but thankfully it came out OK! I loved it!

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

My favourite behind the scenes moments were when Sophie brought in her Karaoke machine, and she, Laura and I belted out S Club 7 between scenes while the crew were setting up. 

I will also never forget the read through day. We were all there together and when we got to the end of the read, we all just looked at each other with pure pride. I had tears in my eyes – it just felt so special.

What was the cast dynamic on set? 

Everyone was on top of their game and focused, even though we had so much fun and laughed and joked between takes. It was a very happy set to be on. Joan is the main focus, but it’s such an ensemble piece and the crew were such a big part of my time on Joan – we were all in great company. I really enjoyed traveling to Birmingham and getting to see everyone.

Who was your favourite person to work with?

Most of my time on set was spent with Sophie. Playing sisters, all of my scenes were with her. From the moment I met Sophie at rehearsals, I knew I was in safe hands. Thank god too, because, not going to lie I was so nervous, and imposter syndrome was getting the better of me. Not only is she talented, she is a really genuine lovely human and it was a pleasure working with her. She is a generous actor who is just so open; I don’t feel like I’m acting when I’m working with Sophie. 

As well as the main cast who were all beautiful, I loved working with Richard Laxton, the director. I was a bit nervous around him at first because I was such a fan. Richard is such an actor’s director: he is so honest and really says it how it is – no beating around the bush. Part of his skill is understanding each actor’s individual way of working – he taught me so much and I would love to get the chance to work with him again. Hopefully next time I’ll be less nervous! 

The other person I was in awe with was Mia Millichamp-Long who plays Joan’s daughter Kelly. It was her first TV job and she was unreal. She’s such a natural talent and definitely one to watch. 

What has been your favourite project to date?

You know what, I have loved every single job I have ever been lucky enough to do. Playing Nancy in Joan obviously was a dream of a role. I waited a long time for a job like this to come along and it was well worth the wait! But I’ve loved different things about all the jobs I’ve done. Performing at The National Theatre was always on my bucket list, so being a part of Clint Dyer’s Othello last year it’s was really special. Clint is an old friend and had me play the role using my own accent. It was actually this job where Jill Trevellick (casting director of Joan) saw me and asked me to audition for Nancy, so I’m grateful for that. 

My first TV series regular role was on Harlots, a blinder of a job with all female directors, producers and DOPs. I tried to be seen for this for the first two seasons, and then when season 3 came round, I was asked by Kelly Valentine Hendry to read in for Samantha Morton at the cast reading because she couldn’t be there. On the day, I read in for another small part of Rosamund Sugarc*nt. I knew it was my chance for a cheeky audition while ‘reading in’, because all of the creative team were there. I wanted it so bad, so I fully went for it. On the way home, I got a call to say they wanted me in the show and Rosamund was going to be written in for five episodes. I still can’t believe that happened!

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

I’m not sure yet what my next job will be – like lots of actors, I’m just auditioning and seeing what I’m lucky enough to book, trying to keep busy with my non acting work to make some pennies. Working class actor life isn’t easy, so I graft for any given opportunity. I have lots of ‘non actor’ jobs that keep me from going out of my mind until the next role.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

Rory Fleck-Byrne was my Cassio (I played Bianca) in Othello, and every single show with Rory was fireworks. He is one of the most playful, impulsive, exciting actors I have ever worked with. He is just magic!

Also, I had a brilliant time doing EastEnders and working with Shona McGarty and Patsy Palmer – two absolute powerhouse women!

Which co – star did you learn the most from?

Sophie. It was great to see her process. She is so calm. Joan is a huge story and a mammoth part, and she was just so prepared and relaxed and oozed confidence. I am a massive overthinker, and she gave me some great tips on how to not do that and just trust your instincts and your crew. When I was resting, I would watch from the monitors and learn constantly. Watching Sophie was just mesmerising. She tells a thousands stories with her eyes.

What’s your dream role?

I love action roles. I’ve done lots of boxing and roles where I get to throw myself around and be really physical. I often get cast in working class roles – I’ve played a lot of prostitutes and gobby cows! But actually, I love history and real life stories, so would love to play a biographical character, whether it be a music icon or a serial killer or a Queen, so I can really embody and study the life of another person.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I love a good juicy crime drama, but then I also love comedy. I have been very fortunate to have had such a mixture of jobs on my journey so far.

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

My wish list of directors and writers that I’d love to work with is long! But to name a few: Andrea Arnold again, Ken Loach, Guy Ritchie, Michaela Coel, Steve McQueen and Sally Wainwright. I am constantly saying, ‘Ohh, who’s that? I wanna work with them’ when I am watching TV.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

I spend a lot of time working. As well as acting, I run a business called Elf Express Ltd, doing Christmas Elf visits for children, so have always got admin to do and things to organise and build, especially at this time of year. And on top of that, I am a fire warden and a DJ too, so life can be hectic!

My fave thing to do at home is to spend time with my mum, my niece Willow and my bunny rabbits Honey and Smudge who I adopted last year while I was filming Joan. I love taking care of them and building new things to add to their bunny kingdom in my garden. You will often find me in my leggings and crocs in the bunny shed!

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I’m a city girl but would love to live in the country. I’m an outdoorsy person and love animals. I’d rather be in my dirty walking boots over heels any day. The dream is to live on a farm surrounded by nature.

What’s your interior design style?

I like things rustic and farmhouse-style in light neutral colours – cream, light grey and natural wood. I have ADHD, so try and avoid clutter, not always successfully! My ultimate goal is to feel really calm and serene at home, but I have a habit of wanting to upcycle and build things so get into DIY projects. 

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

My work and personal lives are one, really – always surrounded by creativity, and always busy working and hustling! If I need some space and calm, I live near some beautiful woods, so love to go and walk there for hours – it’s where I go to clear my thoughts. Being in nature always makes me feel re-balanced.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I did acting from an early age – my mum was a cleaner and cleaned for a casting director who got me and my brother into acting in commercials when we were little. Being brought up by a single mum in a working class family without much money, I don’t think I’d have had the access to this career without that bit of luck. The other things I wanted to be were a firefighter or a forensic scientist – hopefully I’ll get to play characters with those jobs one day. 

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

I’d say, ‘You aren’t thick, it’s dyslexia’. I wasn’t diagnosed as having dyslexia until my 20s, and was in my 30s when I got my ADHD diagnosis. I wish I’d have known these things earlier on in life, and then my teenage self would have had an easier time, I think. Now I know how my brain works differently, I am kinder to myself most of the time.

How can we all live a little bit better?

I think it’s about the work-life balance. I still need to have a word with myself about this at times. Work is important but family and loved ones are even more important.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Acting wise, I’m waiting to book my next job, so am keeping myself busy with my other muggle jobs. I’m grateful I have these to keep my brain occupied during the more quiet times when I’m not acting. I think lots of people in my profession try to put on a front of being busy with acting all the time, but the reality isn’t like that for most of us. I’m always very honest, and I think it’s important that others reading this know the reality of it. 

Kirsty J Curtis Recommends…

I’m currently watching… The Teacher on Channel 5

What I’m reading… Scripts!

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Supacell on Netflix – I binged it in two days and I can’t wait for season 2. 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Death of England by Roy Williams and Clint Dyer with the new cast!

Favourite film of all time… Monster with Charlize Theron or Girl, Interrupted with Angelina Jolie.

Favourite song of all time… Somebody Else’s Guy by Jocelyn Brown

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Anything I can sing out loud to.  I always have Magic Soul playing – I’m old school. 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… The Natural History Museum (I’m a silent disco DJ there!).

Cultural guilty pleasure… My guilty pleasure is reality TV. I’m currently loving Olivia Attwood’s Bad Boyfriends.

WATCH

Kirsty J Curtis stars as Nancy in Joan, kicking off tonight at 9pm on ITV1. All episodes are available to stream now on ITVX.