EXCLUSIVE: A TV drama chronicling the early life of Céline Dion and family is in the works.
Growing Up Dion [working title] marks the first time the “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s family has formally supported a dramatized adaptation of her childhood, with her brother Jacques Dion producing and the show based on Dion, A Family Saga, written by her nephew Jimmy Dion.
Zoë Green (Sirens, Carnival Row) is showrunning the project, which traces Dion’s childhood in Quebec and formative years growing up in a modest, music-filled household, where her bond with her mother Thérèse and close-knit dynamic of 14 sibling relationships shaped her path to global superstardom. The project, which comes from LA’s Diamant Rouge Entertainment, is being taken out now to international buyers.
The Canadian “Queen of Power Ballads” is undoubtedly one of the most popular singers of all time. She has won tons of awards, has been making music for decades and seven of her albums have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide. She has recently been battling Stiff Person Syndrome but is back in good health and will soon tour Paris, coming two years after her comeback live performance at the olympics.
Jacques Dion said: “This series represents something deeply meaningful for our family, as it captures the spirit, struggles, and love that defined our upbringing. We are proud to finally share this story with the world in a way that feels true to who we are.”
Casting is to come and thoughts will naturally turn to who will portray Dion. She was previously played by Valérie Lemercier in 2021 musical comedy-drama Aline and Christine Ghawi in 2008’s Céline. She has also been portrayed by the Tony-nominated Marla Mindelle in Broadway jukebox musical Titanique, a Titanic parody which retells the movie’s events from Dion’s perspective.
Growing Up Dion is produced by Diamant Rouge, with Nicolas Giafferi and Jacques Dion producing. Executive producers include Eduardo Rossoff, Jacques Dion, Giafferi and Caroline Kusser, who oversees international distribution. Jimmy Dion is consulting.
