Belle's (Emilie de Ravin) former fiancé Gaston (Wes Brown) will return to become a threat in her and Rumpel's (Robert Carlyle) ever after when the hit ABC series "Once Upon a Time" returns for season 5B.
Variety reports that Brown has been cast for the role previously played by Sage Brocklebank. Gaston was first introduced during the freshman season of the series, when he tried to free Belle from Rumpel's clutch. She agreed to be the Dark One's maid and when Gaston came to her rescue, Rumpel turned him into a rose. His return to Storybrooke will reportedly be done via a flashback, where viewers will see Belle before she met Rumpel.
Meanwhile, season 5B will also see what will happen to the "Rumbelle" relationship. During the midseason finale, Rumpel found a way to become the Dark One once again. He, apparently, gave Hook (Colin O'Donoghue) a fake dagger. When the latter sacrificed himself to send all the Dark Ones he summoned back to Hell, all the powers were absorbed by Rumpel. Belle does not know this yet, as Rumpel sent her away from the town to be safe.
When Emma (Jennifer Morrison) learned of Rumpel's betrayal, she threatened to tell his ladylove exactly what happened. Rumpel has no choice but to go to the Underworld with Emma to bring back Hook. Series creator and executive producer Edward Kitsis told The Hollywood Reporter that the rest of the characters should be wary of Rumpel, as he has become stronger and more dangerous than ever. He also said that he really wanted Belle to be safe, but he saw an opportunity to take back his powers and was sidetracked.
"I think when he said goodbye to her, he really did it so she wouldn't have to see what happens to him and everyone else. He wanted her to be safe from the darkness. It was a very genuine moment. And then what happened was a crime of opportunity where he saw a way to no longer have to die and go to the underworld," Kitsis said.
"Once Upon a Time" season 5 will return with episode 12 titled "Souls of the Departed" on March 6 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
