'Frozen' and National Geographic Collab for New History Series With Original Actors

National Geographic and Walt Disney Animation Studios have announced a partnership to create The Real Frozen (working title), a new natural history series that expands on The Real franchise. The highlight of the production is the return of the main cast from the animated series to lend their voices to the narrative.

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad will return to play Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf, respectively. In this new version, they will act as narrators, guiding the audience through stories of real animals, with Gad making special appearances as the snowman throughout the episodes. The series is scheduled to premiere on National Geographic and will be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

The story is set in the frozen landscapes of Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The production will follow the resilience, loyalty, and bonds between real animals that survive the harshest winters, reflecting the emotional heart of the Frozen franchise. The storytelling style was designed to connect with the themes of courage, trust, and transformation present in the films.

“At National Geographic, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation through stories that children love and parents trust,” said Courteney Monroe, President of Content at National Geographic. “Building on the success of our Emmy-winning series and the upcoming The Real Finding Nemo makes us excited to continue growing the franchise with The Real Frozen. It’s a wonderful opportunity to unite the beloved stories and characters of Disney with National Geographic’s innovative natural history storytelling.”

The production is a collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios and will be produced by Silverback Films for National Geographic. Jeff Wilson, director of Silverback, celebrated the partnership. "It's rare to work on a project that unites Walt Disney Animation Studios and National Geographic, two names synonymous with wonder and imagination. We know there are extraordinary animal stories out there, and this collaboration gives us the chance to show audiences that the real world of 'Frozen' is just as magical as the animated version," he said.