Holy seawitch, guys. It looks like Merrin Dungey (Alias) has joined the cast of Once Upon a Time as Ursula! We caught a glimpse of the tentacled sorceress in season three, voiced by Community’s Yvette Nicole Brown, but EW is reporting that Dunger will be taking on the iconic Little Mermaid role later this season.
Ursula joins the recently cast Cruella de Vil (Victoria Smurfit) and Maleficent (True Blood’s Kristin Bauer van Straten) as season four, part two’s Big Bad (or should we call it a Terrible Trifecta? No, sorry). For those counting at home, that’s three very famous, very-effing-evil Disney villainesses who will be making their move after Elizabeth Mitchell’s Snow Queen finishes whatever icy trickery she has up those bejeweled sleeves.
Though Elsa (Georgina Haig) and Anna (Elizabeth Lail) were impeccably cast, the Frozen storyline feels a little forced. It’s easy to understand why the writers would want to capitalize on the film’s success, and they are at least doing a good job of integrating the sisters and their hang ups in the OUAT universe, but the show works best when it’s taking a closer look at classic Disney characters. Adding Ursula and Cruella de Vil to the mix–and reviving Maleficent–will likely do wonders for this season’s story.
As far as Ursula’s casting goes, we couldn’t be more excited. Dungey was absolutely superb on Alias as Francie, Sydney Bristow’s best friend turned evil clone (sort of), in the silly spy show’s best season. We can’t wait to see her bring that deviousness to the latter half of season four. Here’s hoping we see an underwater battle between Ursula and Regina that lives up to this epic fight sequence from the Alias season two finale:
What do you think of the new villains for Once Upon a Time? What other classic characters would you like to see join the show? Let us know in the comments below or chat with me about it on Twitter @RachelHeine!
I have never watched the other show she is on and I know nothing about her. Therefore, there will be no quarter taken by my critiques. She sucks. She just can’t act. Idk if she acts better at her other show, but on this show, she is just an utter failure. I literally hope the character dies soon so she will quit butchering one of my fav characters.
I have never watched the other show she is on and I know nothing about her. Therefore, there will be no quarter taken by my critiques. She sucks. She just can’t act. Idk if she acts better at her other show, but on this show, she is just an utter failure. I literally hope the character dies soon so she will quit butchering one of my fav characters.
It’s sad there are no fat actresses, especially fat actresses of color.
This is the best news about OUAT that I have heard in 3 seasons! Merrin Dungey as Ursual will be fantastic! YAY!
How come Ursula is skinny? She doesn’t look right.
I’m a little upset that they didn’t cast a more accurate individual for the part. I love Merrin Dungey, but I’m tired of full-figured characters being slimmed down. I am not sure if the first picture you used was a preview of the OUAT character, or just a sample. Either way this is worth watching while considering the casting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLSnNSqs_CQ
The first picture that they used was from the previous season, when Ariel had first gotten her legs. Regina summoned Ursula, who was not actually in the water, but was a carved golden piece in the wall representing her. But I’m the same way about it. I like how OUAT kinda revamps the characters a bit, but I would rather see the full-figured characters portrayed as such.