Elsa, Anna and Kristoff Are Heading to a Very Real Arendelle

Long before Elsa ever sang about letting go, the filmmakers behind ‘Frozen’ went looking for winter in the real world. Disney art directors traveled to Røros, a former mining town and UNESCO site in Norway, to get a feel for winter weather and landscapes, and it also inspired the reindeer Sven. That grounding in real places is a big part of why Arendelle feels so lived-in.

The sequel pulled even further from the North. While the first film drew on Norway, ‘Frozen 2’ took inspiration from Iceland. Black-sand beaches and Sámi culture from across northern Europe are among the elements fans can spot in both movies.

Now Disney is sending its icy royals back to those frozen landscapes, this time with cameras that capture real wildlife. According to a ScreenRant post shared Nov. 10, National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu have announced a series called ‘The Real Frozen’ (working title). The show was green-lit as a natural history series that will premiere on National Geographic and stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

The concept is a clever one. The series imagines the lead animated characters as if they were living in the real worlds depicted throughout the show, blending Walt Disney Animation Studios’ craft with the cinematography of Silverback Films. It was filmed against icy landscapes in Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden, following real animals whose loyalty, resilience and relationships echo the emotional heart of the franchise.

The original voice cast is coming along for the trip. Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff return as Anna, Elsa and Kristoff, guiding viewers through each story, while Josh Gad makes special appearances as Olaf. Their narration is tied to themes of courage, trust and transformation.

The team behind the camera has serious nature credentials. Silverback Films produces the series for National Geographic, and its previous work includes ‘Secrets of the Bees,’ ‘Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story’ and ‘Ocean with David Attenborough.’ Jeff Wilson directs, with Elisabeth Oakham and Katie Parsons serving as director and producers on all episodes.

National Geographic is treating this as the next entry in an expanding lineup. Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Content, tied the project to the Emmy-winning ‘A Real Bug’s Life’ and the upcoming ‘The Real Finding Nemo,’ and said it aims to introduce kids and families to the wonders of the world. Cliché Magazine described it as ‘Frozen’ getting the same treatment as ‘A Real Bug’s Life.’

That earlier show clearly set the template. National Geographic picked ‘A Real Bug’s Life’ up for a second season in February 2024. The network also points to ‘LION,’ a 4-part series that depicted a real-life ‘The Lion King,’ among its recent Disney-world successes.

Disney’s animation side appears fully on board. ‘Frozen 3’ producer Christina Chen said no one is better than National Geographic to show the real places that inspired the ‘Frozen’ world, and that original ‘Frozen’ animators will help bring the characters to life in the series. Wilson, for his part, suggested the real world of ‘Frozen’ can be every bit as magical as the animated one, perhaps with a wink.

For fans, the appeal is easy to see. The series trades musical numbers for survival stories, but it keeps the heart of what made the films connect: family bonds, trust and endurance in brutal cold. Janet H. Vissering is executive producer for National Geographic, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of Content.

No premiere date has surfaced in the sources reviewed so far, so viewers will have to wait for more details. Until then, the idea of Elsa narrating the life of a real Arctic animal is enough to make this ‘Frozen’ spinoff one to watch.