Viewers will see the first ever Pixar character to join ABC's hit series "Once Upon a Time" when it returns in September.
Show creators will be introducing Merida, "Brave's" redheaded and defiant protagonist in the premiere episode of season 5. Scottish actress Amy Manson will give life to the princess, where her she will reportedly play a major role in Emma's (Jennifer Morrison) life.
Executive producer Adam Horowitz told Entertainment Weekly that Merida's story in "Once" would be a sort of continuation of the events that happened in the movie.
"We're going to give you a little taste of where she's been since then, what's happened to her since the end of that movie, and then we're going to see that that somehow crosses with our people and with our 'Once Upon a Time' mythology," said Horowitz.
According to Bustle, the first character whom Merida will meet in the series is none other than the new Dark One Emma. The redhead will reportedly encounter Emma in the Enchanted Forrest, way before she meets the other Storybrooke crew. Horowitz said that this meeting would be a part of Emma's journey in dealing with her darkness.
Merida is expected to help the rest of the characters like the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla), Captain Hook (Colin O'Donoghue), Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) and Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) in their quest to find Merlin (Elliot Knight).
Meanwhile, fans will be surprised to know that Emma will be guided by none other than Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) in her transformation as the Dark One. In the first-look photo released of the upcoming sequel, the evil character is seen approaching Emma.
"If you're going to be the Dark One, you gotta learn from the best," teased executive producers Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.
During the San Diego Comic-Con, Carlyle revealed that his character would still be fond of making "devilish" deals. As for how he would coach Emma in her journey to darkness, fans could be sure that it would be another epic storyline.
"Once Upon a Time" returns Sunday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
