Joyce Sherri has been hired by Disney to be the lead writer and director for its upcoming animated Tiana series. Variety is reporting that Sherri has been brought in to work on the series that is now set to be released on Disney+ in 2024. Originally it was supposed to be released sometime in 2023.
The Tiana series will be a follow up to 2009’s The Princess and the Frog. Once again Anika Noni Rose will be returning to voice the role of Tiana. A description for the series says that “Tiana sets off for a grand new adventure as the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia, but a calling to her New Orleans past isn’t far behind.” The series is being made by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the same studio that made the original film. Nathan Curtis is a producer for the project and Jennifer Lee and Stella Meghie are executive producing. Originally Stella Meghie was to be the writer and director for the series. She is now still attached to the series as an executive producer.
The Princess and the Frog isn’t the only animated Disney film to be getting a series made for Disney+. Walt Disney Animation Studios made follow ups for Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and Cars. A Moana series was also announced but has not been released yet. Since its announcement a live-action movie for Moana has also been announced. It is unknown how or if that live-action movie will impact the animated series.
Sherri recently wrote the Netflix horror miniseries Midnight Mass. She has also written and directed projects like Beauty, Forever, Down, Down, Baby and The Family Romance. She won the 2020 lamdance screenplay competition for her feature, Sweet Sixteen. It was also selected for the 2021 Sundance Institute Screenwriters Intensive.
2024 will be a big year for Princess Tiana. Along with the series arriving on Disney+, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening at both the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland and Disneyland Resort. This new attraction will take guests on a musical adventure boat ride through the bayou in events that take place right after those seen in The Princess and the Frog. Recently the new Tiana’s Palace restaurant also opened at Disneyland. It is unknown if this new series will be connected with the new attraction.
What do you think about Sherri taking over as lead writer and director of Disney’s Tiana series? Are you excited about this series? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
