It was announced that Disney is scrapping their upcoming series focusing on Tiana, the Black princess from 2009’s Princess and the Frog. The show had been in development since 2020 and was to bring back Anika Noni Rose, the actress from the original film. Is this latest cancelation kowtowing to the exclusionary fascism currently infesting the American government? It sure seems like it.
We reported in December 2024 that Disney scrapped a trans character’s storyline in its new show Win or Lose. What we didn’t know then was that Disney added an openly Christian character to the show, showing her praying to “heavenly father.” Is there anything wrong with showing a character’s religion? Not really. Until we realize that Christianity is the only religion being represented. Another nod to America’s current affair with Christofascism?
Disney’s first animated feature film is Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. That was all the way back in 1939—over 80 years ago. Yet it wasn’t until nearly 100 movies later that Disney finally gave viewers a Black princess in the form of 2009’s Tiana.
Had Tiana aired, Princess Tiana would have been the first non-white Disney princess to have her own TV show. It also would have been the first Disney+ show with a female showrunner and directed entirely by a woman.
What does Disney have to say for itself? Nothing. The company did not make an official statement regarding their reasons for canceling the show—sparing us the mealymouthed nonsense they spewed after removing the trans-character storyline from Win or Lose.
The pattern of shows with non-white leads being axed or scaled back doesn’t stop with Tiana. A planned Moana TV series was scaled back to a second feature film last year. Meanwhile, a show set to focus on Wakandan warrior Okoye was also canceled before production could begin.
Before joining forces with FOX, Disney was flawed but consistent about championing diversity and offering characters that represented a wide range of demographics. Given Disney’s undeniable cultural impact, repercussions from the poor choice to end its focus on diverse character, equitable treatment, and including the vulnerable will reflect in future generations in ways we cannot even parse yet. Here’s hoping Disney execs consider their responsibility to viewers as much as they do their stockholders.