ONCE UPON A TIME: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis Tease What’s to Come in 2013! Plus, Five Teases About ‘The Cricket Game’

ONCE UPON A TIME is finally back this Sunday!

I had the chance to screen “The Cricket Game” this morning, and after the hour, OUAT executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis talked with reporters about what’s to come. Keep reading for their teases, plus a few episode-centric hints…

Yes, ABC may have just ruined something pretty freaking big in a promo.

ABC played the role of spoiler when they revealed in a new promo that the spell keeping the Storybrooke inhabitants in the town would soon be broken. While the executive producers were as thrilled as you might expect that particular tidbit is out there, all Horowitz would tease is “the idea of leaving Storybrooke is an issue that is explored.”

A bonus tease? It’s not something that’s immediately tackled in 2013.

So many guest stars…

While it’s known that Ethan Embry will soon be making his way to ONCE, very little is actually known about the character. However, when I asked the producers for more details, they were as vague as ever.

“We’re very happy to have him,” Horowitz said.

“This will help: his character’s name is Mysterious Stranger,” Kitsis teased. “He’ll have a name pretty soon and we’re excited to tell that story as well.”

One guest star they were willing to tease a bit more is DOWNTON ABBEY actress Lesley Nichol.

“This morning, on the way in, I got an email from Josh Dallas (Charming) going, ‘No way!” Kitsis said of their latest guest star. (Dallas also tweeted his excitement earlier in the day.) “We can tell you she has a connection to Snow White and her family, and that will be explored in episode 15.”

It’s raining men!

Now that viewers have met Emma’s ex/Henry’s father, Neal — and he knows the curse is broken — there are some understandable expectations of a reunion for the other family that’s been torn apart.

“I would be really disappointed if we went this season and didn’t see that [meeting between Henry and Neal],” Kitsis said. “That would suck.”

But would that also bring August back into the mix? After all, something he showed to Neal was enough to convince the man that he should abandon (and turn in) Emma. While Horowitz allowed fans “are to wonder” what was in the box (and we’ll be getting the answer), the physical return of Eion Bailey’s August is still a little more questionable.

“August is an important part of the fabric of Emma’s story, ” Kitsis teased. “And it’s a story we’re continuing to tell this season.”

Hm…

A return that’s more certain? Rumple’s son, Bae, whom the producers would be reemerging in the next batch of episodes.

And, of course, we can’t forget about Hook who ended 2012 on his way to Storybrooke.

“I think it’s hard to deny the handsomeness of Hook,” Kitsis joked. “And I think the real question is, ‘Is he going to lose the guyliner in Storybrooke?’ And the answer is no.” (Bonus tease: Hook fans will love the opening of Sunday’s episode.)

Plus, five things you can expect from “The Cricket Game”…

• Interrupted sexytimes.
• The craziest witness to a crime ever.
• Lana Parrilla (Regina/The Evil Queen) at perhaps the best she has ever been.
• Some of the best Regina lines of the entire series.
• A little parental/child conflict with the Charmings and Emma.

–

ONCE UPON A TIME returns Sunday, January 6th at 8 PM on ABC. And make sure to check back with Give Me My Remote over the next few days for more interviews about what’s to come on OUAT in 2013!

Related:

ONCE UPON A TIME: ‘The Cricket Game’ Photo Preview
ONCE UPON A TIME: Rose McGowan to Guest Star as…
ONCE UPON A TIME: Gregory Itzin to Guest Star

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @marisaroffman on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv