Sinéad O’Connor biopic in development from ‘Nothing Compares’ producers

Biopic on Sinéad O’Connor’s early life and career is in development from the producers of the ‘Nothing Compares’ doc.

A biopic chronicling the early life and career of Irish music legend Sinéad O’Connor is in development, with production led by the teams behind the acclaimed documentary Nothing Compares.

Irish production company ie: entertainment, which worked directly with O’Connor during the making of the documentary, is collaborating with Nine Daughters (God’s Creatures, Lady Macbeth) and See-Saw Films (Slow Horses, The Power of the Dog). The film will be directed by Josephine Decker (Shirley) from a script by Irish writer Stacey Gregg. Producers include Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, Neil Chordia, and Oscar-winning duo Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (The King’s Speech, Lion), with music executive Tim Clark serving as executive producer for ie: entertainment. BBC Film is funding the project’s development.

O’Connor, who passed away in 2023 at age 56, became one of Ireland’s most influential cultural figures. She rose to international fame with her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, featuring the global hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The track earned her a Grammy, multiple international awards, and made her the first woman to win MTV Video of the Year.

Beyond her music, O’Connor was a vocal activist, addressing issues such as sexism in the music industry and abuses within the Catholic Church. Her 1992 appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II, remains one of her most discussed moments.

The biopic will explore O’Connor’s upbringing in Dublin, her rise in the music world, and how she used her platform to challenge powerful institutions. The film aims to capture the story of a young artist whose talent and activism left a lasting global impact.