James R | On 30, Apr 2022

Netflix has cancelled Raising Dion after two seasons.

The drama follows the story of Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) and her son Dion (Ja’Siah Young) after Dion starts to manifest several mysterious, superhero-like abilities. Season 2 aired earlier this year and followed Dion as he began to hone his powers, with the support of his mom and Tevin (Rome Flynn), his trainer who catches Nicole’s eye. After befriending new student Brayden (Griffin Robert Faulkner) – another powered kid – a series of alarming events unfolded, and Dion learnt that danger is still looming.

Season 2 spent a strong four weeks in Netflix’s global top 10 English-language series after its debut. Now, however, cast member cast member Sammi Haney has shared the news on Instagram that the series will not be returning for a third chapter.

“Sad to say that Raising Dion is CANCELED,” Haney wrote. “Thank you for all of the amazing support we got from all of our wonderful fans! Season 2 was a success, equal to Season 1, even if just looking at how many people watched all of it and wanted a season 3.”

The move comes as the company increasingly considers viewership numbers and completion rates against budgets when weighing whether to renew a project. It also comes as Netflix is facing a downturn in subscribers for the first time in a decade, with a further 2 million subscribers forecast to be lost in the coming three months.

 

Trailer: Raising Dion returns for Season 2 this February

20 January 2022
“Time to clean up the neighbourhood.” That’s the sound of a new hero entering the scene, with the return of Netflix’s Raising Dion – and a new trailer gives us a first look at Season 2.

The drama follows the story of Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) and her son Dion (Ja’Siah Young) after Dion starts to manifest several mysterious, superhero-like abilities. Season 2 follows Dion as he beings to hone his powers, with the support of his mom and Tevin (Rome Flynn), his Biona trainer who catches Nicole’s eye. After befriending new student Brayden (Griffin Robert Faulkner) – another powered kid – a series of alarming events unfold, and Dion learns that danger is still looming. Navigating twists, turns, and surprise visitors, Dion and Nicole must prevail again – not just to save themselves, but the entire city of Atlanta.

Season 2 premieres on 1st February. Here’s the trailer:

 

Netflix renews Raising Dion for Season 2

2nd January 2020

Netflix has renewed superhero drama Raising Dion for a second season.

Based on a short film, the series follows Nicole (Alisha Wainwright), a mother who realises her son has super powers. Raising the seven-year-old boy (Ja’Siah Young) after the death of her husband, Mark, she must keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat, and protect Dion from those out to exploit him.

Seith Mann (The Wire, Homeland) serves as director and executive producer of the series, with Michael B. Jordan exec-producing. Jordan will also play Dion’s father, alongside co-star Jason Ritter as Pat.

The series premiered in October last year and has been ranked by Netflix as one of its “most-watched shows” of 2019 in the US. Now, at the start of 2020, the streaming giant has officially given a green light to a second season of eight episodes, with production to begin later this year.

Netflix announced the renewal on Twitter.

Carol Barbee will return as showrunner for the second season, with Michael B. Jordan, Kenny Goodman, Kim Roth, Dennis Liu and Charles D. King’s Macro once again serving as exec-producers alongside Mann.

 

Trailer: Raising Dion arrives on Netflix this October

18th September 2019

“Something is happening to Dion…” That’s the sound of Nicole (Alisha Wainwright), a mother who realises her son has super powers, in Netflix’s new drama, Raising Dion.

Based on a short film, the series follows Nicole as she raises the seven-year-old boy (Ja’Siah Young) after the death of her husband, Mark. When Dion starts to manifest superhero-like abilities, she must keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat, and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him.

Although Nicole is completely overwhelmed by raising her son alone while dealing with the loss of her husband, she is still 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.

Seith Mann (The Wire, Homeland), who most recently served as co-creator, director, and executive producer of The Breaks, serves as director and executive producer of the series, with Jason Ritter, Jazmyn Simon, and Michael B. Jordan co-starring.

You can see them all in action on Friday 4th October, when the 10-episode drama lands on Netflix. Here’s the trailer:

 

Raising Dion is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Ja’Siah Young and Alisha Wainwright cast as leads in Netflix’s Raising Dion

28th June 2018

Newcomer Ja’Siah Young and Alisha Wainwright have been cast as the leads in Netflix’s Raising Dion.

Based on a short film, the superhero drama follows an African-American single mother who discovers her young son has multiple, constantly changing abilities. Nicole Reese raises her son, Dion, after the death of her husband, Mark. When Dion starts to manifest superhero-like abilities, she must keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat, and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him.

Young will star as Dion, a curious, playful, and intelligent 7-year-old boy who can move things with his mind. While exciting and cool, it’s also something he knows scares his mum. Wainwright (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments) will play Nicole, a former professional dancer who gave it up to raise Dion.

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.

Seith Mann (The Wire, Homeland), who most recently served as co-creator, director, and executive producer of The Breaks, has been tapped to direct the pilot. He will also serve as an executive producer.

Young and Wainwright join previously announced cast members Jason Ritter, Jazmyn Simon, and Michael B. Jordan.

The 10-episode series will premiere on Netflix in 2019.

 

Jason Ritter joins Netflix superhero drama Raising Dion

22nd June 2018

Jason Ritter has joined Netflix’s superhero drama Raising Dion.

Based on a short film, it follows an African-American single mother who discovers her young son has multiple, constantly changing abilities. Nicole Reese raises her son, Dion, after the death of her husband Mark. The normal dramas of raising a son as a single mom are amplified when Dion starts to manifest several magical, superhero-like abilities. Nicole must now keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat, and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him while figuring out the origin of his abilities.

The show is the brainchild of commercial and music video director Dennis Liu, who created the comic book and directed the short film, which became a viral sensation. Carol Barbee, who most recently served as executive producer on the popular and acclaimed series UnREAL and whose credits also include Judging Amy, Jericho, and Touch, will serve as showrunner/executive producer and wrote the script for episode one, which Liu will direct.

Joining her and Liu as executive producer is Michael B. Jordan, who will play Dion’s dad. Now, Jordan has found a co-star in front of the camera with Ritter signing on to play Pat. A comic-book-reading scientist who worked with Mark, Pat makes a big effort to be there for Nicole and Dion, and loves them like family. Not only is Pat smart, cute, and successful – he also has a special bond with Dion.

 

Raising Dion: Michael B Jordan and Netflix team up for superhero drama

6th October 2017

Michael B. Jordan and Netflix are teaming up for a new superhero drama.

Raising Dion, based on a short film, follows an African-American single mother who discovers her young son has multiple, constantly changing abilities. The show is the brainchild of commercial and music video director Dennis Liu, who created the comic book and directed the short film, which became a viral sensation. Carol Barbee, who most recently served as executive producer on the popular and acclaimed series UnREAL and whose credits also include Judging Amy, Jericho, and Touch, will serve as showrunner/executive producer and wrote the script for episode one, which Liu will direct.

Joining her and Liu as executive producers are Michael B. Jordan, through his Outlier Society Productions, who will also appear in the series; MACRO’s Charles D. King, Kim Roth and Poppy Hanks; Kenny Goodman; and Michael Green (Logan, American Gods).

The series follows Nicole Reese, who raises her son Dion after the death of her husband Mark (Jordan). The normal dramas of raising a son as a single mom are amplified when Dion starts to manifest several magical, superhero-like abilities. Nicole must now keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend, Pat, and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him while figuring out the origin of his abilities.

“I started this project many years ago because I wanted to see more diverse representation on film and television and I’m excited to partner with Netflix and MACRO, who I know shares that commitment,” says Liu. “More than ever, we need more stories told from different points of view and my hope with Raising Dion is to create a cinematic experience for all families that will lift your spirits and make you laugh and cry.”

“We haven’t seen this type of superhero story before – an origin myth full of imagination, wonder and adventure, all grounded in the experiences of a modern single mother,” adds Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix. “Michael B. Jordan is an exciting and dynamic talent, and I’m excited to see him, MACRO, Carol and the team translate Dennis’ unique vision to television.”

Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of the one-hour sci-fi.

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