Pictures from filming

The Queen is back

Barbara Hershey

Here's one reason to celebrate ABC's decision to stick with its struggling Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. The spin-off has just closed a deal with Barbara Hershey to reprise her popular Once Upon a Time role as Cora, The Queen of Hearts.
Even though Cora met her demise on Once, where she made life hell for everyone including her daughter Regina, executive producers Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz stated over the summer their intentions to introduce the character into Alice's Wonder world.   
For now, Hershey is scheduled to appear in just one March episode — the series' 11th hour. Besides tangling with Alice, I'm just hoping for a face-off between Cora and Jafar, played by Hershey's real-life former beau, Naveen Andrews.
Let the games begin!

Once Upon a Time Creators Tease Adoption Flashback Twists, Warn of Peter Pan's Resilience

Appropriate for the onset of the Yuletide season, “What child is this?” is one of the questions Regina (played by Lana Parrilla) will ponder this Sunday on Once Upon a Time (ABC, 8/7c), as we flash back to Storybrooke’s very early days and Mayor Mills’ growing desire to be a mom.

“This [storyline] started last year in ‘Welcome to Storybrooke,’ when Regina met Owen,” Once cocreator Eddy Kitsis notes. “We realized that when she cast the curse [that transported the Enchanted Forest's denizens to Maine], it created a hole in her heart. The curse was not fulfilling for her. She needed something more, something real.” And in spending time with uninvited Storybrooke guest Curt Flynn’s young son, “She realized that the love she was looking for was in a child.”

But can a wicked witch make for a mindful mom? (After all, baby Henry doesn’t look too content in the episodic photos that have circulated.) “Regina wasn’t always the Evil Queen,” series cocreator Adam Horowitz reminds. “There’s a woman inside of her with a heart, who has felt love and who has felt loss, and now she has a hole in her heart from casting this curse. How does she go about filling that hole? And can she do it with Henry?”
Kitsis says that another question to perhaps be raised, if only because the always resourceful Mr. Gold aka Rumplestiltskin has his manipulative mitts in the mix, is: “Does Regina realize who Henry’s [birth] mom is?”

All told — including as teased in this week’s Ask Ausiello column — “there are some twists and turns in the saga of how Regina adopted Henry,” Horowitz affirms. “A couple of ‘What ifs?’ are posed.” And in visiting that defining, emotional juncture in Regina’s life, Lana Parrilla “killed it,” Kitsis raves.
“One of the reasons we’re showing [this flashback] right now, in our 52nd episode or whatever, is to see in Neverland how far this woman has come,” Kitsis explains. “You see what she was like as a vengeful Evil Queen, and you see her now in present day as Henry’s mom.”

Speaking of Neverland: Henry is, as Miracle Max might put it, “mostly dead” — or as the Once bosses say, “in pretty rough shape” after donating his ticker to Peter Pan for misguided reasons. As the coming hour unspools, “The drive to get him back to himself is what’s fueling our folks on the island,” says Horowitz. But despite their boldest best efforts to right this horrible wrong, Kitsis must warn, “Peter Pan does not go down easy.”
Once Upon a Time’s fall finale airs Sunday, Dec. 15.

Once and Wonderland Spoilers

Any chance for a reconciliation between Neal and Rumple on Once Upon a Time? — Tracy
NATALIE: Now that Neal has discovered the truth about his lineage, it will open the door for father and son to finally have a relationship. "It provides an opportunity for Neal to see his father as someone who carried a burden for hundreds of years because he was hurt or embarrassed about Pan being his father," Michael Raymond-James says. "It really allows him to see his dad in a new light. That's a revelatory moment for Neal."
  
Question: I was wondering if you had any scoop on Emma and Hook’s relationship on Once Upon a Time? –Laura
Ausiello: Once cocreator Eddy Kitsis told Matt Mitovich that with Henry’s life now on the line more than ever, Emma will be squarely focused on the dire present, with no thought given to her romantic future. Hook and Neal, meanwhile — sharing as they do a quite complicated past of their own – will arrive at some sort of agreement in the Dec. 8 episode. Says Kitsis, “You’ll see how they’re going to deal with each other and with Emma in, I think, a surprising way.”

Question: Will we get to see in the next half of this season of Once Upon a Time how Regina adopted Henry and how she raised him? — abz
Ausiello: Hmm, your subscription to the Daily Mirror must have lapsed, because that bit of backstory will be revealed this Sunday, and it’s at least a two-hanky affair, as Mayor Mills struggles to bond with her procured bambino. But what you may find surprising is who almost adopted wee Henry instead.

Question: Any chance we’ll be seeing the Jabberwock on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland? I just can’t imagine Alice in Wonderland without it. —Estee
Ausiello: And there won’t be an Alice in Wonderland without it. “You will see the Jabberwock” in the second half of the season, Eddy Kitsis promises.

Spoiler Comment post

There were spoilers the other week when they were filming Episode 11 that Grumpy was running up the main street of Storybrooke screaming "It's here! The cruse! It's here!" and Regina was saying Goodbye to Henry and Emma. So it's looking like a lot of characters will be going back to the EF (Since the episode is called 'Going Home').

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Episode 12

"New York Serenade"

Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Once Upon a Time

Do you have anything on Once Upon a Time that isn’t related to one ‘ship or another? –Lauren
Wrap your magic bean around this one: For Episode 14, the show is casting the possibly recurring role of a teenage African-American female who comes across as skittish and timid, having had her naturally curious and determined spirit tempered by years of crippling fear. That said, when put to the test, this lass can reach within and summon the strength to be a hero. Ready, set, speculate!

Christopher Gorham guest stars

Christopher Gorham, who was on Ugly Betty before taking the lead on Covert Affairs, will guest star in the 12th episode of the current Once Upon season.

Gorham will play an “important character in the life of Emma Swan.

Mega Buzz: Onces Evil Father

Will the group learn the truth about Peter Pan's identity on Once Upon a Time? — Sarah
NATALIE: Yes, and when they do, they may actually feel bad for the Rumple, despite the fact that he's caused them all strife at one point or another. "When I learned Pan was his father, it all made sense to me why he is the way he is and how he turned out that way," Lana Parrilla says. "As Regina, I had compassion for his character. It's heartbreaking when a parent abandons their child, but the way he did it was just so evil and so sinister. He is more evil than the Evil Queen and Rumple because there's no remorse."

Once Upon a Time - Episode 3.09 Save Henry - Promo Dec.1

Once Upon a Time - Episode 3.09 - Save Henry - Press Release

"Save Henry" - While Henry's life hangs in the balance, the race is on to stop Pan from gaining full magical powers from the heart of the truest believer. Meanwhile, in Storybrooke of the past, Regina decides to fill a void in her life and, with Mr. Gold's help, sets out to adopt a baby, on "Once Upon a Time," SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Once Upon a Time" stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O'Donoghue as Hook, Michael Raymond-James as Baelfire/Neal Cassidy, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest starring are David Anders as Dr. Whale, Raphael Sbarge as Archie Hopper/Jiminy Cricket, Beverley Elliott as Granny, Robbie Kay as Pan, Rose McIver as Tinker Bell, Parker Croft as Felix, Darien Provost as Lost Boy #1, Jack Di Blasio as Lost Boy #2, Freya Tingley as Wendy, James Immekus as keychain, Matt Kane as glasses and Julian D. Christopher as adoption agent.

"Save Henry" was written by Christine Boylan & Daniel T. Thomsen and directed by Andy Goddard.

No new episode next week :(

so apparently next week there wont be a new ep of Once until Dec.1 booooo i think the music awards will air but who gives a crap i rather watch Once then the awards so yeah sucks :( no happy at all

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland - Episode 1.06 - Who's Alice - Press Release

ALICE’S SEARCH FOR CYRUS PUTS HER IN HARMS WAY IN THE BLACK FOREST AND THE KNAVE IS AWAKEND BY AN UNLIKELY ALLY, ON ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND”

“Who’s Alice” –Jafar pays a visit to the Asylum and Dr. Lydgate to uncover information about Alice, while in Wonderland, Alice heads to the Black Forest on her quest. Meanwhile, the Knave is awakened by magic with the help of an unlikely ally and he goes in search of Alice only to find her in terrible danger, and Cyrus does his best to evade the Red Queen. In flashback, Alice returns to Victorian England and her father after losing Cyrus, on “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,” THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” stars Sophie Lowe as Alice, Michael Socha as Knave of Hearts, Peter Gadiot as Cyrus, Emma Rigby as The Red Queen with Naveen Andrews as Jafar and John Lithgow as the voice of the White Rabbit.

“Who’s Alice” guest stars include Johnny Coyne as Dr. Lydgate, John Prowse as Carpenter, Shaun Smyth as Edwin, Matty Finochio as Tweedle #1, Brian George as Old Prisoner, Heather Doerksen as Sarah, Kylie Rogers as Millie, Hesham Hannoud as Ghazi, Troy Young as Painter, Kerry van der Griend as Thief #1, Sean Owen Roberts as Thief #2, John R. Taylor as Old Peddler and Dallas Sauer as Young Man.

“Who’s Alice” was written by Jerome Schwartz and directed by Ron Underwood.

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OT(Other) - Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie OFFICIAL Disney Trailer HD

Once Upon a Time - Episode 3.08 - Think Lovely Thoughts - Press Release

"Think Lovely Thoughts" - Pan leads Henry to a secret cave, where he has convinced the boy that he alone can save magic and Neverland itself. But a showdown between good and evil is about to go down as Emma, Mary Margaret, David, Regina, Mr. Gold and Hook find themselves directly on a path to Pan in an effort to save Henry. Meanwhile, back in the Fairy Tale Land that was, young Rumplestiltskin is given a magical item that could help him make a fresh start with his father -- who has been anything but a good dad, on "Once Upon a Time," SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Once Upon a Time" stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O'Donoghue as Hook, Michael Raymond-James as Baelfire/Neal Cassidy, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest starring are Robbie Kay as Pan, Rose McIver as Tinker Bell, Wyatt Oleff as young Rumplestiltskin, Colin Corrigan as thug, Stephen Lord as Malcolm, Lindsay Collins as spinster #1, Glynis Davies as spinster #2, Freya Tingley as Wendy and Marilyn Manson as The Voice of Shadow.

"Think Lovely Thoughts" was written by David H. Goodman & Robert Hull and directed by David Solomon.

Once Upon a Time 3x08 - 'Think Lovely Thoughts' Promo

Spoiler Chat: Once Upon a Time

Layla: I just can't get enough of Once Upon a Time's magic. I look forward to this show every week! What's coming up?Land, ahoy! My oh my, what do we see here dearies? We've snagged a first look photo (above) straight from the Once Upon a Time set and it looks like our characters are finally back in our favorite little town: Storybrooke! Hmm, and apparently Rumple is mighty pissed off with one Lost Boy. Is it just us, or does Pan look a little bit older to any of you Neverland fans? Aging or not, it is very interesting to see Pan in our beloved fairytale-filled town.

Ahhh who is it????? Any guesses???

So I was on pinterest and I came across this spoiler...

Who do you think they are talking about???

Let us know in the comments below!

Once Upon a Time - Episode 3.07 - Dark Hollow - Press Release

“Dark Hollow” – Mr. Gold and Regina send Ariel back to Storybrooke with an item that will allow Belle to locate a hidden artifact that could help take down Pan. But unbeknownst to them, two men have broken into the town with the intent to stop them – at all costs. Meanwhile, Emma, Neal and Hook attempt to find Dark Hollow, where Peter Pan’s shadow dwells, in order to capture it, and Mary Margaret is upset with David for keeping his poisoning a secret from her, on “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Michael Raymond-James as Baelfire/Neal Cassidy, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest starring are Lee Arenberg as Leroy/Grumpy, Keegan Connor Tracy as Mother Superior/Blue Fairy, Raphael Sbarge as Dr. Hopper/Jiminy Cricket, Beverley Elliott as Granny, David-Paul Grove as Doc, Gabe Khouth as Sneezy, Faustino Di Bauda as Sleepy, Jeffrey Kaiser as Dopey, Michael Coleman as Happy, Mig Macario as Bashful, Robbie Kay as Pan, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Ariel, Rose McIver as Tinker Bell, Peter Croft as Felix, Freya Tingley as Wendy, James Immekus as keychain and Matt Kane as glasses.

”Dark Hollow” was written by Kalinda Vazquez & Andrew Chambliss and directed by Guy Ferland.

Once Upon a Time 3x07 - Dark Hollow Promo

#Bellesback

Spoiler Chat: Once Upon a Time

Natalie: I absolutely adored JoAnna Garcia on last night's Once Upon a Time! Please tell me that we are going to be seeing more of Ariel?You're in luck fairytale fan! We recently chatted with The Little Mermaid and she promised us that we will definitely be seeing this fin-tastic new character in a few more episodes this season. Also did you know that JoAnna Garcia and Jennifer Morrison are off-screen besties? Emma and Ariel will soon be sharing scenes together as well…

Something's fishy :-D

Ok so I absolutely loved this episode but, there is just one teeny tiny little thing that made me sad.

I was a little sad when Hook spilled his guts for Emma and told everyone the truth about kissing and she just ignored him.

(I ship Captain Swan so hard by the way)

I loved Ariel and her back story!

Eric was super hot! And I loved that he waited for her for so long.

Regina made a really good Ursula dispute my prior feelings of having her play the mythical sea serpent.
Her voice and look was fantastic but one thing I am curious about was who was the voice to the Ursula who came out of the mirror and will we be seeing her again???
(I for one sure hope so)

Ariel is super cute I am excited to see her in Storybrooke

Oh and the best part Belle is back :-D

Which brings me to my next point that next weeks hash tag is #Belleisback so if you use Twitter, Facebook, Tumbler use this hash tag so that other Oncers can see your posts!

I loved that Snow put her heart I. the line and confessed go David that she wanted another child! Because she did miss everything in Emma's life her first step, her first word, her first laugh. It would be fantastic for them to try again.

I'm glad that the truth finally came out about Charming's illness and that he will never be able to leave. Snow looked a little peeved which who wouldn't be.

So how do you feel about that? Do you think she will ever forgive him? And if she doesn't forgive him do you think she will stay in Neverland or go back with Emma?

And Rumpelstiltskin I could see that the figment of Belle was going to be in some form Pan. How didn't you? Dude you are the dark one for goodness sake.

I was also disapointed that the word "Dinglehopper" was not used in this episode. Because it could have easily been incorporated. For example

Ariel- holding the fork up for Snow to see "Oh I have seen one of these before. I discovered one in the bottom of a ship wreck. Someone wise once told me that it was a Dinglehopper. Then brings it to hair and starts running it threw her locks. While Snow tries frantically to stop her.

I was happy though that Regina left the group and went on her own to team up with rumple to find Henry. I think that in the long run them working together would be a benefit.

I am also a little sceptical that Neal might not really be Neal... I have a feeling that he is Pan in disguise. Could be wrong but Pan wouldn't give Neal up that easily... Or would he???

Hook in the episode really made me want to cry. He is so in love with Emma and he let it fly that he had feelings and Emma dumped all over them by reconnecting with Neal. Yes I realize that they have only had one kiss and that doesn't automatically make them a couple but I wish it did!

All in all this episode was really good. The CGI was also good with Ursula's arms. At first when I saw the sneak peeks I thought that maybe it wouldn't be so great but it was.

This was my review for this weeks episode. Tell us what you think in the comments below :-D

Once Upon a Time Brings Ariel to Life!

Ginnifer Goodwin, Joanna Garcia Swisher

Once Upon a Time is going under the sea!
The ABC fairy-tale drama will finally introduce the beloved mermaid that fans have been dying to see since the show subtly name-dropped her. Ariel (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) will dominate Sunday's episode, titled "Ariel," in both past and present, as she comes into contact with our heroes. Unlike other fairy-tale characters who get the Once twist, Garcia Swisher says her little mermaid is very familiar.

"She's very true to who she was in the movie and that's what I love about it," Garcia Swisher tells TVGuide.com. "Her optimism is still there and she's got this spunk and this desire and this bravery, but really gets herself into trouble with how naïve she is. But that's also what we love about her."

In the past, Ariel will actually save Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) from what Goodwin calls a "truly near fatal accident." "In order to repay Ariel, Snow offers to help Ariel find her true love and, of course, they become BFFs along the way," Goodwin says.

That true love is Prince Eric (Gil McKinney), whom Ariel also saved at one point. "It's incredibly romantic that Ariel can be driven by this incredible love for this man that she's only just briefly met," Garcia Swisher says. "It's just old school and there's this incredible connection. It's a very Disney moment."
But in true Disney fashion, that moment might not last since Ariel will come face-to-face with the infamous Ursula, who, in the world of Once, has been more myth than legend. "Ursula does not disappoint," Garcia Swisher says. "She has the embodiment of evil. Really and truly in our story, Ursula has never been seen. She is a beloved character, someone that's revered and worshipped in a way."

And who plays Ursula? She will have a very familiar face as — spoiler alert if you missed the promos — Lana Parilla will pull double duty. "Everyone knows I've loved Ursula since I was a little girl and I've based a lot of Regina off of her actually," Parrilla says. "I've found it challenging to make her different, because I didn't want her to be like the Queen. It's a bit tricky and I think you'll get a kick out of it. I didn't know how to go about it initially. But after some of the work I did, I found a different Ursula that's not the one we know from The Little Mermaid, so she's my version."

Meanwhile, Regina will have other issues to deal with when she realigns herself with Gold (Robert Carlyle) in her quest to get Henry (Jared Gilmore) back. "Regina's just fed up with the Charmings," Parrilla says. "She's had it. They're just a bunch of goody-two-shoes and they're kind of cliquey and she's not into that. She is the odd man out constantly. ... She uses her power and magic to get what she wants and they don't and it's just taking longer and longer. The more days she goes without her son, the more frustrated she becomes. She's just ready to take matters into her own hands, so she flees and leaves them all and finds Gold. They're two peas in a pod. They understand each other. They speak the same language. She has more faith in him than the Charmings at this point."

Look for Regina to put to rest the question "once and for all whether or not that's truly Belle [Emilie de Ravin]" that Rumple has been envisioning, according to Carlyle.
But their ultimate salvation may lie with Ariel. "The wonderful and interesting thing about mermaids is that they can swim between realms," Garcia Swisher teases. "So I feel like my fins can be put to good use. Good thing Ariel is in good shape."
Are you excited to meet Ariel?
Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.

Once Upon a Time: JoAnna Garcia Talks 'Klepto' Ariel, Swim Fin Woes

This Sunday at 8/7c, ABC’s Once Upon a Time heads under the sea to introduce us to a little mermaid. As played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Reba), a front-runner for the role since Season 1, Ariel will in flashback face off against a “familiar” foe, while in Neverland she offers her special swimming skills to Emma and the gang.
Swisher spoke with TVLine about assuming the iconic princess for “more than a couple of episodes,” the pitfalls of swimming with a fin and how Ariel will make a splash in Storybrooke.

TVLINE | You as Ariel — this has been, what, two years in the making?
I know, right? I’m so glad they decided to this right after I had a baby!

TVLINE | I was going to say, a few months earlier and you would have had to politely decline.
Even a few months after, I was like, “Oh god, here we go….”

TVLINE | [Once cocreator] Adam Horowitz is a great Yankees fan. Were you ever concerned along the way that your husband [Nick Swisher] leaving the Bronx to join the Cleveland Indians would jeopardize this gig?
Not in the slightest. In fact it was really cute, Adam got to talk to Nick while we were in Vancouver. He was really excited.

TVLINE | Where do we pick up Ariel’s story in Fairytale Land? Has she met Prince Eric yet?
Yes, she has – so she’s pining, plotting to figure out a way to see him again. She has met him and she is madly in love. It’s incredibly romantic. I save Snow White’s life, so to return the favor, Snow teaches me how to be a princess. And she also urges me to be myself and tell him the truth and follow my heart and all those incredibly romantic Snow White notions.

TVLINE | How and why does Ursula enter the picture?
Well, there’s always a price to pay with magic, and when you dangle the idea of being with Eric in front of Ariel, she will go to no end to make it happen.

TVLINE | Meanwhile, what are you up to on the Neverland side?
Well, mermaids can swim between realms, so that ability becomes quite handy and useful to the gang…. They call upon Ariel to maybe help in their fight.

TVLINE | Is there any moment of recognition between Regina and Ariel? Because Regina is Ursula, right?
Yes, Regina is Ursula. I think there probably is a little bit of resentment….

TVLINE | So, why the purse? What’s in it?
Where else am I going to keep my dinglehopper, Matt?! I’m definitely enamored with little objects – I’m a bit of a klepto – and I find things along the way that I fancy to be mine. It’s my “treasure bag.”
 
TVLINE | Are there other nods to Ariel’s story? Is there a crab…?
There is a crab, but he’s not dancing round and adorable. It’s just a brief sort of tip of the hat. In fact, I explain to them that we don’t eat humans down below, so… it’s kind of horrifying to see seafood everywhere!


TVLINE | Emile de Ravin said that Belle has scenes with Ariel…. Is that more down the pike?
It’s not as far down the pike as you would imagine. Like I said, mermaids can swim between realms, so we do get to interact. Obviously when you’re a guest on a show, it’s your job to help the heroes along in their journey, and I really love the fact that Ariel gets to do that in a lot of ways.

TVLINE | When swimming between realms, can she bring someone along for the ride, if they hang on tight?
I don’t think that would be suggested! But the bag that you were asking about, it definitely helps in her journey.

TVLINE | Any costume issues?
I mean, thank god for Spanx! [Laughs] But Eduardo [Castro] is an incredible costume designer, so there were no issues. I did have some times where my back was hurting because I swam a lot with my legs bound… and I was in the real ocean quite a bit, on two different occasions. I really feel like I didn’t think through all of it! I was like, “You want me in the ocean, not the 100-degree water tank/giant Jacuzzi?” [Laughs]

TVLINE | Oh, and it can get chilly there in Vancouver.
It was so… cold. The day that I had to go into the ocean, Lee Arenberg (“Leroy/Grumpy”), who’s like a surfer dude and has been in all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, helped get me through that with some tips.

TVLINE | Jen Morrison was telling me how she had to sneak a sweater onto Emma in an upcoming episode, it was that cold out one day.
Just this past Monday, I was like, “Where did you get gloves, dude?” And Jen was like, “It’s magic — we can manifest things here.” I was like, “I wish I had known that a month ago!”

TVLINE | You and Jen go back a ways, right?
She’s one of my closest girlfriends, yeah. She was at my wedding, and at every big monumental moment in my life, and I think she’s so fantastic. One of the reasons I watched the [Once Upon a Time] pilot is because I watch everything that my girlfriends do, and I was like, “Whoa, this is spectacular.” I instantly became a fan. so I was excited to be able to do this!

Colin O'Donoghue Previews Once Upon a Time's 'Surprising' Kiss, Ponders Hook/Neal Face-Off

It wasn’t always a pirate’s life for Killian Jones, Once Upon a Time will reveal this Sunday (ABC, 8/7c).
In fact, Killian was once a stand-up Navy officer before circumstance — perhaps stemming from his first clash with Peter Pan? — turned him to the dark, guylinered side. Meanwhile in Neverland, the swashbuckler’s swag leads Emma to make a “surprising” move. Colin O’Donoghue spoke with TVLine about that twist and how it stands to make Neal’s return awkward.

TVLINE | What kind of a bloke was young Killian Jones?
He was very different than the Killian Jones you’ve seen before. He was a Navy officer, a lieutenant, and he very much lived by that code. He was straight-laced and believed in right and wrong. It was great to play him in the morning and then go to play Captain Hook in the afternoon! And it was nice to have a costume change. [Laughs]
 
TVLINE | What sort of relationship does Killian have with his brother Liam?
They’re very close. They’ve spent their whole lives together, and now they’re both on this ship, as officers. Liam is the captain and there’s a huge respect they have for each other. But it sort of ties into why Hook decides that he could turn the other cheek and help David…. He sees an element of his brother in David, I think, and that makes him want to try to help.

TVLINE | In flashback, is there one defining moment that steers Killian onto the path of being Hook?
Absolutely there is. You see the reasons why he becomes who he becomes, why he becomes a pirate and all of that. You also begin to see an element of Killian come back into Hook in this episode as well, which is a nice way to do it. It ties in with how as a young guy he was very idealistic, and the old Hook is more jaded. But the optimism begins to come back for Hook.

 
TVLINE | Of course we have The Big Kiss coming up. Were there whoops and hollers at the table read when everyone got to that scene?
[Laughs] It’s kind of been in the cards, I guess — Hook and Emma have this strange relationship where they are a bit of kindred spirits. But the kiss comes out of a place of complete surprise, how it happens. It’s not something that brews, it comes from a surprising place. But it’s a kiss nonetheless!

TVLINE | Which of the two is more affected coming away from the moment?
I think it affects them both. I don’t think Hook was expecting it necessarily, and I’m not convinced Emma was expecting it either. But I don’t think either of them hate it!

TVLINE | If Hook were to get wind that Neal is there on the island, might his more dastardly side take steps to prevent a reunion with Emma?
It will be interesting to see. That relationship with Baelfire is very complicated. Hook really would have given up everything to be a father figure to Baelfire, and I think that even now, hundreds of years later, he still sees him as that little boy, and still holds him quite dear. Even though he gave him up to the Lost Boys, if Baelfire had turned around said, “I want to stay,” he would have done everything in his power to keep him. At the end of the day, Hook really truly loved Baelfire’s mother Milah and he still sees the mother in the boy. So it would be complicated, but I would be interested to see how he would react to that.

TVLINE | So if Emma ultimately has cause to run into Neal’s arms, it won’t necessarily “flip a switch” for Hook and revert him to his ruthless pirate ways?
Not necessarily. I think Hook has the confidence to believe that he could easily get any girl if he put his mind to it. That’s the kind of guy he is! If he will or would is a whole other thing.

 TVLINE | You’ve also been enjoying playing the budding bromance with Charming….
Yeah, I think Hook and David even have a ‘ship name now as well. It’s been fun, all right, to get to do that – especially because of Hook’s sort of constant flirting with Emma in front of David.

TVLINE | I think the new promo even has a moment where David says, “Stay away from my daughter!”
[Laughs] Every dad would say that!