Anika Noni Rose reacts to ‘Princess and the Frog’ series cancellation

Princess and the Frog voice actress Anika Noni Rose is sharing her deep disappointment over her character Princess Tiana’s television series being canceled by Disney.

“I too am deeply disappointed that the continuation of Tiana’s journey in series form has been cut short,” Rose wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “The series was a long time coming, and a lot of beautiful work was put into it ball of the creatives involved, including — but not limited to — longtime champion Jenn Lee, our wonderful writer/director Joyce Sherri, some fabulous animators, and an amazing music team.”

The series, titled Tiana, was first announced in 2020, with Rose set to reprise her role as the titular princess from the celebrated 2009 animated film. Earlier this month, PEOPLE confirmed that the series had been scrapped by Disney, but that the studio is working on a short-form special inspired by The Princess and the Frog in its stead. 

Representatives for Rose and Disney did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly’s request for comment.

Rose then took the opportunity to encourage fans of the original film to show Disney just how much Princess Tiana and her pals are loved by tuning into the upcoming special.

“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 going 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 wrote. “And when I say tune in, I mean, tell your friends, family, coworkers, baby sitters; 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’re watching. Show your love and your desire in the numbers. Make that desire an undeniable and real thing.”

She added that “we will be continuing to work hard to bring you the most beautiful content we can” until the special airs. 

Rose concluded her message by thanking fans for “the love you have shown” over the years, noting that it “made it possible for Princess Tiana to still be such a vibrant, impactful presence” to this day. 

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In her caption, Rose wrote that she was “grateful to all who have worked to bring the Tiana series to life, and all who continue to love her into existence and beyond,” adding, “Sometimes you need a moment to process.”

Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog told the story of Tiana (Rose), an aspiring young chef who is asked for a kiss by a frog proclaiming itself to be Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) so that he can return back to his human form. However, because she is not technically a princess, the plan backfires and transforms her into a frog as well, setting the pair on a ribbeting journey to find a cure for their amphibian ailment. 

Their story was also continued in the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, which replaced the ride’s controversial Splash Mountain theme last year. 

See Rose’s full statement in her Instagram post above.