EXCLUSIVE: Sophie Grégoire Trudeau’s memoir-cum-manifesto ‘Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other’ is getting the doc series treatment.
The retired TV presenter, celebrity interviewer and former partner of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s bestseller has been picked up by Canadian producer Sphere Media.
Each of six self-contained episodes will feature well-known personalities from the worlds of culture, sports, politics and business, with Grégoire Trudeau using her interview skills to draw out guests and give them the space to candidly talk about personal struggles, challenges and truths.
The doc series will also feature professionals working at the cutting edge of mental health research, therapy and brain therapy. The tone will look to normalize and destigmatize mental health despite the scientific focus.
Sphere Media’s SVP of Development and Content, Kim Bondi, is leading on development with Sphere co-producing alongside Grégoire Trudeau. It’s early stages right now, so no network or streamer is attached.
Grégoire Trudeau interviewed many of the world’s most famous names, including Malala Yousafzai, Gloria Steinem, Hilary Clinton and Iman Bowie. She was also engaged with dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Francis and offered opening remarks during Michelle and Barack Obama’s visits to Canada. The work landed her UN recognition, including the United Nations Association of New York’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2018.
Grégoire Trudeau’s memoir has been likened to a manifesto in its approach, which offers a guide to living a more authentic and fulfilling life. It was published in April last year and drew praise for its intimate look into her life, including her teenage and early adult struggles with an eating disorder, her life as Canada’s ‘First Lady’ and as a mother of three.
Grégoire Trudeau and Justin Trudeau separated in 2023 after 18 years of marriage. Justin Trudeau resigned as Prime Minister of Canada earlier this month after ten years in the job after a series of issues and ethics investigations resulted in a loss of trust from the public and calls for his exit as Liberal Party leader. His majority government from 2015 had lost support and became a minority four years later before a confidence and supply agreement with the rival New Democrat Party propped him up.
“We are all one trauma away from each other,” said Grégoire Trudeau. “It takes one huge shift, event or tragedy to affect how we sense life and therefore, each other. Our capacity to understand and regulate ourselves and our emotions is paramount in protecting the wellbeing of our families, schools, communities and democracy. Our capacity to adapt to this ever-changing world depends on how well we know ourselves and how we will choose to harmonize it. The time is now.”
“Sophie isn’t just the host of what’s shaping up to be a fascinating and informative series — she’s its heart, soul and guiding spirit,” added Sphere President Marlo Miazga. “She brings her charisma, compassion and creativity to the project, helping to bring us all ‘closer together’ by breaking down the walls that not only hold us back but, all too often, hold us apart.
“This is combined with Kim Bondi’s renowned power to translate meaningful ideas into thoroughly entertaining content with global reach. Sophie should also be applauded for using her extraordinary network to foster awareness of the mental-health issues that affect and afflict so many lives and, most importantly, how to overcome these challenges.”
Earlier this month, we revealed Sphere was working on a feature doc about another major female figure, the late Princess Diana. Based on dance teacher Anne Allen’s book, ‘Dancing with Diana: A Memoir’, it will look into the secret dance lessons the British royal took in the 1980s.
