Laura Aikman On Starring In Joan

Tracing Joan Hannington’s life from house wife to criminal mastermind, ITV’s flagship autumn series, Joan, is in full swing. Sophie Turner stars in the title role, donning various wigs, costumes and accents like the real Joan, aka ‘the Godmother’, Britain’s most notorious diamond thief in history. The cast also includes Frank Dillane as Boisie Hannington, Kirsty J Curtis as Joan’s sister Nancy, and Laura Aikman as Val, a bored trophy wife who is unsettled by Joan’s rejection of the status quo. We sat down with Laura to hear all about it.

Interview: Laura Aikman

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

Life is pretty wonderful right now. I’m coming to the end of a job I have absolutely loved with a dream cast and crew, and I’m really trying to take it all in and appreciate every minute.

You can currently be seen in Joan on ITV1 – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Joan is based on a true story. It follows Joan on her journey to becoming a badass jewel thief, while falling in love and desperately trying to get her daughter back, all set in ’80s London. It’s high stakes, high hair and high glamour.

How would you describe your character Val?

We meet Val lonely, bored and unhappy. Her husband blatantly cheats on her and she puts up with it. She’s always accepted the status quo of being a trophy wife and when Joan comes along and doesn’t fit into that mould, that’s very challenging for Val.

What was it like playing her?

Fun! There was a lot of hair! Even though Val puts up with a lot from her husband, she also tells him off and digs him out and I really enjoyed that, playing her anger.

How did you get into character/prepare for the role?

I listen to music a lot when I’m preparing for a role, and obviously for this I listened to a lot of ’80s music. I had Dolly Parton ‘Here You Come Again’ on repeat for ages. But really, I feel like I know this world. My family’s from London and I saw this relationship dynamic a lot in my parents’ generation so it felt familiar to slip into.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Sophie bringing in her karaoke machine and singing S Club 7 between takes.

Who was your favourite person to work with on set?

Richard Laxton, our director, is very funny. He always does this thing where he will casually say ‘Laura can I have a word with you? …IT’S ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE’, which I find hysterical every time for some reason.

LAURA AIKMAN as Val in Joan. (ITV)

What has been your favourite project to date?

I would have to say Archie. Playing Dyan Cannon, who I fell completely in love with, and having access to her to the point where we spoke on the phone throughout filming, and are now friends, was such a lovely experience. I had wanted to work with Jeff Pope and Paul Andrew Williams for years and to do it for the first time on that project just felt perfect. I’ve never felt more supported than I did on that job with that crew and I will never forget it.

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

One I can tell you about! This City is Ours, which is the job I’m filming now. It’s a sort of Succession set in the drug world in Liverpool. I’m playing a really smart, determined Scouser. I’m obsessed with her and I’m already sad thinking about finishing the job and leaving her behind.

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

All the funny people… There’s too many to mention, but I love an actor who can crack me up. I’m a terrible giggler. I loved working with Jason Isaacs, too: he really challenged me as you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get – but it’s always great.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I think I learn something on every job, but working with Sarah Hadland on The Job Lot was really inspiring because she will just try anything. She’s really brave and totally unselfconscious in her performance and I think she made me braver too. And funnier because of it.

What’s your dream role?

I don’t have one, really. I just want to keep challenging myself and playing interesting people.

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

Comedy. I love it and I miss it.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

Yes. I’m always dashing for a train to get back for the weekend. My favourite thing is Saturday mornings on the sofa with my partner Matt and my dog Eric Cantona.

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

Town. I live in London. We go on walking holidays quite a lot and I love them. But after about three days. I start getting itchy for a 24 hour shop.

What’s your interior design style?

We live in a flat in a Victorian house, so we’ve kept a lot of the old character mixed in with some more industrial style pieces.

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

Probably none. I’d just say you’ll figure it out when you get there. All the mistakes I’ve made (and there have been many) have made me who I am.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Be kinder, more generous with our time and attention. And put your phone down!

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Both! A new job to start, and we’re about to move house. We just started fostering dogs this year, so I’m looking forward to being settled in our new place so we can welcome a new pooch in too.

Quick Fire

I’m currently watching… Presumed Innocent

What I’m reading… Butter by Asako Yuzuki

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… The Hot Wing King at The National Theatre

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… New series of The White Lotus and The Morning Show

Favourite film of all time… The Princess Bride… Or Enough Said… Or Dirty Dancing… So many, so hard

Favourite song of all time… ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ by Lou Reed

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Burna Boy (at the moment)

Cultural guilty pleasure… I may indulge in a little known franchise called The Real Housewives…

WATCH

Laura Aikman plays Val in Joan, airing on ITV1 on Sunday and Monday evenings.

All six episodes of Joan are available to stream now on ITVX. itv.com