"Once Upon a Time" has added a new fairytale character to the mix. Everyone's favorite red-headed mermaid, Ariel, will be joining the show's host of fairytale characters, which includes Belle, the Evil Queen, and Snow White and the seven dwarves.
TVLine reports that Ariel will be played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, known for her roles in the hit CW sitcom "Reba" and the ABC sitcom "Better with You."
The seasoned television actress will play the curious mermaid in at least two episodes, starting with the sixth episode of season three. Although Ariel's possible appearance on the show -- with talk of Swisher assuming the role --was rumored since season one, the character's debut in season three was not confirmed until Comic-Con this past July. Crowds were treated to a teaser reel that shows something sneaking up behind a dwarf, stealing a fork (or as Scuttle calls it in "The Little Mermaid," a 'dinglehopper,') out of the dwarf's lunchbox and diving into the ocean. The creature then flicks her fin around, revealing that it is the diminutive, flame-haired mermaid. With that, Ariel swims away.
Despite the way the teaser appears, Ariel will not be in Storybrooke, Maine, but in an alternate fairytale dimension.
Swisher is joining the cast along with former cast member Giancarlo Esposito, who is returning after appearing in "Revolution" and guest starring on "Community."
Esposito was last seen as Storybrooke news man Sidney Glass, who was imprisoned by Regina (Lana Parrilla) after failing to frame Snow White for Kathryn's (Anastasia Griffith) "murder."
TVLine reports that Esposito will appear in one of season three's episodes, although there was no word as to which alter ego he will be assuming: Sidney Glass, the Evil Queen's magic mirror or the Genie of Agrabah.
"Once Upon a Time" debuts its third season Sunday, September 29 on ABC.