We now have our two leads for Raising Dion.
The family superhero drama on Netflix from executive producer Michael B. Jordan has announced its two main stars: Ja’Siah Young and Alisha Wainwright.
They join previously announced cast members Jordan, Jason Ritter and Jazmyn Simon.
Raising Dion follows the story of Nicole Reese who raises her son, Dion, after the death of her husband, Mark (Michael B. Jordan). The usual dramas of raising a son as a single mom are amplified when Dion manifests several magical, superhero-like abilities. Nicole must now keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat (Jason Ritter), and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him while figuring out the origin of his abilities. It is based on Dennis Liu’s viral short film of the same name which revolves around a black mother who discovers her young son has multiple and continually changing abilities.
Young will star as Dion Reese, a “curious, playful, and intelligent 7-year-old boy who is learning he has some very special abilities — he can move things with his mind. While exciting and cool, it’s also something he knows scares his mom, Nicole.”
Alisha Wainwright (Shadowhunters) will star as Nicole Reese, “a former professional dancer who gave it up to raise her son Dion when her husband Mark died. Although Nicole is completely overwhelmed by raising her son alone while dealing with the loss of her husband, she is still effortlessly cool and maintains a positive outlook on life for Dion. As Dion’s abilities become more and more apparent, Nicole’s protective nature heightens as she starts to fear for his safety.”
Also, it has been announced that Seith Mann will executive produce and direct the pilot.
Carol Barbee is on board and wrote the Netflix adaptation and will serve as showrunner and will executive produce. Liu will direct and executive produce. MACRO’s Charles D. King, Kim Roth and Poppy Hanks are also executive producing along with Kenny Goodman and Michael Green. This is the first TV series order for MACRO.
The series, which has a season order for 10 episodes, debuts in 2019.
