When OMFGTV sat down with the cast and creators of ABC’s hit fairytale/fantasy drama Once Upon a Time in July, we were absolutely ecstatic that one of our absolute faves — Rebecca Mader — was there, because that meant that she would be returning for Season 6.
“Yeah, I’m still alive,” she tells us. “I ain’t dead yet, yo!”
Heading into the new season, her character Zelena will have a lot to deal with. Earlier this summer, it was announced that Storybrooke’s resident shrink Dr. Archie Hopper (Raphael Sbarge) would be returning to the premiere to provide his services to a new patient. The identity of the patient was a mystery — until now.
“[Zelena] definitely needs the therapy; she needs to see Jiminy Cricket stat,” she reveals. “She just killed the first love of her life to save her sister– there’s a lot going on. Zelena’s also got a lot to do because now she’s got two sisters. So that’s a lot to deal with in season six– I’ve got Regina AND the Evil Queen. I never had any family and now I’ve got two sisters.”
Mader says that she loves how the writers are exploring the relationship with the sisters “because now it’s like a three is a crowd kind of thing. It’s really fun. We’re enjoying it.”
Near the end of last season, we all watched as the wicked sister chose Regina (Lana Parrilla) over her love Hades (Greg Germann). When asked if there will be any resentment towards Regina because of that, Mader reiterates that “there’s going to be a lot going on. A lot. It’s just very crowded. To kill the love of your life for your sister and now there’s somebody else as well, there’s just so many things to deal with. It’s just going to be absolutely bonkers.”
“That was crazy,” she says of the finale. “Stabbing Hades in the chest, I’m like, ‘What?!’ and then Robin Hood’s on the floor. What a day in the office that was. We’re all crying all day and holding each other. It was so intense. Basically they’re losing the love of their lives at the same time.”
Luckily for Zelena, she now has a way to talk it all out. “I’m telling you– Jiminy Cricket, his prices are very reasonable. He’s got a lot of work cut out for him this season.”
Fans of the witch and first-time mother who are concerned that her wicked ways are now behind her need not worry.
“I think I’m always going to be wicked,” she assures us. “They haven’t just written it ‘okay, now you’re just a good guy.’ And they don’t do that to any of the characters on the show. Even though Regina’s redeemed to a point, she still slips and relapses. I don’t think anyone can just go from completely villain to completely hero on this show.”
“Even like Mr. Gold who has moments of being a good husband to [Belle], then he’ll slip back — kind of what reminds me about the behavior of an alcoholic,” she continues. “Even if I’m being good, I’m still going to be snotty and sarcastic. You can’t take that away from my personality. Even if it’s not in the writing, I’m just going to [play it that way] anyway.”
Finally, Rebecca teases what else is to come in the season premiere.
“We meet Aladdin, Jafar, the Queen is back. That’s going to be pretty redonkulous.” She also says that there’s “some stuff going on with Emma” and we’ll find out something very interesting about her that we won’t have all the answers to.
“It’s a really good premiere. I think the fans are going to be really happy and all your favorite people are there and all the people that are arriving are just really cool. It’s going to be a really good season.”
Once Upon a Time Season 6 premieres tonight at 8pm on ABC.