ITV's Joan confirmed not to return for a second season due to cast scheduling issues

When approached by RadioTimes.com for comment, an ITV spokesperson said: "ITV and Snowed-In Productions would love to produce another series of Joan.

"However, as a consequence of cast availability and following co-production discussions it has meant a second series wasn't possible."

The cancellation news – while surprising given the success of the series and the potential for plot development – makes a lot of sense given the fact that lead actress Sophie Turner is set to appear in various anticipated productions.

Turner is set to be reunited with Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington in upcoming gothic horror film The Dreadful, and is set to lead Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Tomb Raider Prime Video series as Lara Croft herself.

As well as those in the pipeline, Turner is also set to star in upcoming thriller film Trust, as well as Prime Video's Steal, so it's evident that finding time to film a second instalment of Joan would prove difficult.

The six-part series saw Turner transform into real-life notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington, who did everything from swallowing diamonds to pulling off major heists.

Inspired by Hannington's 2002 memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain's Most Notorious Jewel Thief, the ITV drama took us on a whirlwind journey through Joan's first criminal escapades as she and her six-year-old daughter Kelly ran away from their previous home in Kent.

Turning into a bit of a love story when she meets Boisie (Frank Dillane), we then follow the pair as they team up to pull off some of their biggest operations yet.

Unfortunately, things ended on a sad note for Joan and Boisie's love story, as Boisie died in an alleyway after their planned heist went wrong.

However, the series ended on a flash-forward, with Joan meeting up with Boisie's friend Albie (Gershwyn Eustache Jr), the same person who left him alone to die earlier in the finale.

Joan seemed intent on revenge when they did eventually meet again, telling him to watch his back after he handed her a suitcase full of money.

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Having spent time in prison, the story certainly could have developed and continued to show how Joan navigates life without Boisie, whether she returns to see her daughter Kelly and if she was successful on getting revenge against Albie.

But alas, we'll just have to hold our burning questions and 'what ifs'.

Even though we may not be getting any more Joan, the series certainly put the intriguing tale centre stage for all to see.

Turner previously told Harper's Bazaar that one of the central reasons she was drawn to the scripts was because it's "a real story, and the most unbelievable one".

"It's about resilience and ambition – this woman is so infectious, you can't help but love her. I couldn't give her up to anyone else."

Joan is available to stream on ITVX.

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