The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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coverstory Storytime in prime time The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, September 27, 2013 Fantasy drama 'Once Upon a Time' returns to whisk viewers away By Kyla Brewer TV Media F airy tales have been capturing people's imaginations for hundreds of years, so it should come as no surprise that one of TV's biggest hits is an innovative drama that offers viewers a new take on some classic characters. But make no mistake, this is not a tale for young kids to gather round; this is a fairy tale for grownups. ABC's "Once Upon a Time," which has been titillating viewers with its dark and mysterious plots since it premiered in 2011, returns Sunday, Sept. 29, with one of the fall's most hotly anticipated season premieres. The series follows the complex story of a modern-day woman, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison, "House"), who discovered she's actually the daughter of the legendary Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin, "Big Love") with the help of her long-lost son, Henry (Jared S. Gilmore, "Mad Men"). It was he who showed her the way to Storybrooke, Maine, a small town where fairytale characters had forgotten their fantasy past because of a curse cast by the Evil Queen/Regina (Lana Parrilla, "24"). After the curse was broken in Season 2, the residents remembered their true identities and the town was infused with magic, thanks to Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle, "Stargate Universe"). At the end of last season, young Henry had been kidnapped by Greg (Ethan Embry, "Brotherhood") and Tamara (Sonequa MartinGreen, "The Good Wife"), and it appears he's now with Peter Pan in Neverland. In Lana Parrilla stars in "Once Upon a Time" the Season 3 premiere, some of Storybrooke's most powerful residents set out to retrieve the boy as they board Captain Hook's (Colin O'Donoghue) ship, the Jolly Roger, on a journey to Neverland. Determined to get her son back, Emma works alongside unlikely allies Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold and Evil Queen/Regina, as well as her parents, Snow White/Mary Margaret and Prince Charming/David (Josh Dallas, "Thor," 2011). However, their quest won't be easy. In a sneak preview trailer for the new season, one of Peter Pan's Lost Boys meets with Rumplestiltskin about the boy. Pan seems unwilling to give Henry up, and it appears he may even have something up his sleeve to deal with the devious Rumple. Fans won't see the mischievous, Disney-friendly Peter Pan they're accustomed to — the Pan in "Once Upon a Time" is a villain, one that even shakes Rumplestiltskin. Creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz said in an E! online interview that their take on Neverland may not be the fantasyland viewers expect: "Well for us, Neverland is kind of a place that makes you confront your past," said Horowitz. "It's sort of the heart of darkness." There's been a lot of buzz about the new characters and casting for this season, but the identity of the actor set to play Pan has not been revealed as of press time. We do know, however, that Rose McIver ("The Lovely Bones," 2009) has been cast in the role of Tinkerbell, and Kitsis divulged that the fairy will have a connection to more than one character on the Jolly Roger, though everyone connected to the series remains mum about who. Obviously, Hook must be one, but it's anyone's guess who else has encountered Tink before. In other exciting casting news, JoAnna Garcia Swisher ("Better with You") has signed on to portray Ariel, a.k.a. The Little Mermaid, in at least two episodes this season. She's set to appear in an instalment aptly titled "Ariel," which unveils her connection to the fairytale crew. Gil McKinney ("Supernatural") has been cast opposite her as Prince Eric. Sources have confirmed that Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad"), who previously guest starred as Regina's Magic Mirror, will appear this season as well. Also, Sean Maguire ("Scott & Bailey") is expected to step in to replace Tom Ellis as Robin Hood because Ellis was reportedly unavailable to re- prise the role in Season 3. Fans who can't get enough of such fairytale characters are in for even more fantasy with the spinoff "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland," set to premiere Thursday, Oct. 10, on ABC. Promising a twist on Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" story, the show takes viewers through the looking glass with Alice (Sophie Lowe, "Beautiful Kate," 2009). Convinced she's crazy, doctors prepare a treatment that will make her forget all about Wonderland, but the Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha, BBC's "Being Human") and White Rabbit (John Lithgow, "3rd Rock from the Sun") set out to save her. With the iconic new setting of Neverland, big buzz about casting and the spinoff ready for debut, Season 3 is poised to be "Once Upon a Time's" biggest season yet. Not that it's exactly been struggling. The show has been a top performer for ABC since its premiere drew more than 12 million viewers, and the Season 2 premiere held almost steady with just over 11 million. Loyal fans of the series have become completely enchanted with the fantasy world "Once Upon a Time" has created and are thirsting for more. Find out why when the series sets sail once again Sunday, Sept. 29, on ABC. Chirstopher's Coins 2x2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: Is "Grimm" coming back for another season? We're into the fall now and I'm starting to get worried. A: Not to worry, the series is still alive, but NBC is saving its return for a thematically appropriate time. The series, about a police officer who discovers he's part of an ancient line of monster hunters tasked with protecting regular people from threats they can't even see, returns on Oct. 25. The network set it up as the Friday night lead-in to "Dracula," its new series about the legendary vampire (played by former "Tudors" star Jonathan Rhys Meyers). "Appropriately," the network said in a release, "both shows will launch within a week of Halloween." NBC, and "Grimm," have a tradition of this. That show's original debut, in 2011, was held back until Oct. 28 so that NBC could build another night of "Halloween-themed programming" (though its "Halloween-themed" partner that night was the season premiere of the action-comedy "Chuck," about a regular guy masquerading as a spy, which is a bit of a thematic stretch). "Grimm" and "Dracula," on the other hand, are a more natural match, both for Halloween and for each other. Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided. A/Krazy Tom's B/State FarmMelisa Manikas 2x3