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ITVThe 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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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