With Snow White (Giniffer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) gone, "Once Upon a Time" (OUAT) is focusing on another fairy tale couple next season: Henry Mills (Andrew J. West) and Cinderella (Dania Ramirez). But apart from telling the tale of how the two fall in love, season 7 is also going to explore the princess' past and feature the characters in it. Among those who will appear is her stepsister, Anastasia.
TV Line claims a teenage Anastasia will appear in flashbacks in the overhauled season. But unlike how her character is commonly portrayed, the "OUAT" version will feature a happy and selfless girl who loves both her twin sister Drizella (Adelaide Kane) and step-sister Cinderella.
The young Anastasia will appear in "Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 9, though the actress who will portray her has yet to be announced. Whoever lands the role will be joining "Burn Notice" star Gabrielle Anwar who was cast in early July as Lady Tremaine, Cinderella's wicked stepmother.
Cinderella's life will be a major part of the show next season because she will become a mother to Henry's child. Much like in the first episode of the series when Henry showed up at Emma Swan's (Jennifer Morrison) door and told her that he was her son, a little girl named Lucy (Alison Fernandez) also showed up at adult Henry's door years later with the same story.
Henry has lost his belief in fairy tales, judging by the puzzled look he gave Lucy when she introduced herself, and fans will be joining him in his journey to retrieving his lost memories.
As executive producer Adam Horowitz explained to Entertainment Weekly, "One of the hardest times to have hope in anyone's life is when you've lost belief or faith in something. That is a jumping off point for where we are for the next season, which is, how do you deal with questioning faith and belief and finding hope again?"
"Once Upon a Time" season 7 will premiere later today, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
