Tiana Voice Actor Anika Noni Rose Is ‘Deeply Disappointed’ Disney Canceled ‘Princess and the Frog’ Series After Years of Development: It’s ‘Hurtful’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Anika Noni Rose is “deeply disappointed” after Disney scrapped its planned “Princess and the Frog” television series for Disney+ after years in development.

The series, titled “Tiana,” was first announced in 2020. Joyce Sherri joined the project in 2023 as its lead writer and director.

Rose was set to reprise the title princess, who she first voiced in the 2009 animated film. News broke earlier this month that “Tiana” had been axed as a series.

A short-form project based on “The Princess and the Frog” is now being developed for Disney+. “I too am deeply disappointed that the continuation of Tiana’s journey in series form has been cut short,” Rose wrote on Instagram. “The series was a long time coming, and a lot of beautiful work was put into it by all of the creatives involved, including but not limited to long time champion Jenn Lee, our wonderful writer/director Joyce Sherri, some fabulous animators and an amazing music team.” “As hurtful as it is for anything you’ve put your heart and soul in to be prematurely ended, my hope is that when what is now to be a ‘Tiana Special Event’ airs, that all of you beautiful, loving, loyal fans who’ve been championing not just the series, but a ‘Princess and the Frog’ sequel, tune in,” she continued. “And when I say tune in, I mean, tell your friends, family, coworkers, babysitters; tell all the people you know who have loved Princess Tiana, Naveen, Louis, Charlotte, Mama Odie and the magic they’ve created together over the years, and make sure you are watching.