Read at your own risk!
(If you haven’t watched it yet, prepare yourself.)
And thus, Belle dies.
Credit: Jack Rowand/ABC
EMILIE DE RAVIN:Yeah, it’s so nice to hear that.
That’s the best word for it, right?
If you want to sum it up in one word: emotional.
What was your first reaction when you learned Belle’s fate?
That’s quite beautiful and was lovely to play.
What was your reaction to reading the script, or at least hearing about thisUp-esque montage?
I had been briefed slightly on what the story was going to be.
I’ve been reading these scripts for nearly seven years.
I couldn’t stop crying.
The second time I read it, I was supposed to go out to lunch afterwards.
Nope, can’t do it.
We’ve both had instances where our significant others were like, “Are you okay?”
[Feigns crying] “Yup, just reading the script.”
The initial one was just about how beautiful this was written.
It’s written such in the moment.
A lot of this show is, “What’s going to happen?
What has happened?”
That really stood out to me as being so special and so lovely.
Let’s just be."
Especially with that makeup and prosthetics.
Oh no, I just laid out in the sun for a few days.
It was all me.
[Laughs] From now on, I will only be playing grandmas.
Just putting that out there.
[Laughs] That was the hardest day of work, that scene.
It was really emotional.
The feeling and vibe on set was so special and so respectful and loving and warm.
It brought out a lot of feelings for a lot of the crew and cast.
He did a beautiful job with the episode.
It’s such a safesafe is probably the best word.
I felt very safe and respected that whole day.
But it was sad, we were crying.
It was very hard to stop crying between takes.
[Laughs]That was probably the biggest challenge because Bobby’s performance was so beautiful to watch.
If the prophecy figures itself out, I’m sure Belle will be there.
I love that she keeps her sarcasm until the end too, it’s pretty cute.
Are they going to figure things out?
Is there anything else you wish you had gotten to do with Belle onOnce Upon a Time?
I still wish I got to ride a horse.
[Laughs] I do!
Everyone else is riding horses!"
They wrote most of the horse riding out and then used a double.
What’s been your favorite moment on the show?
I’m kind of torn now, because I really love this episode [“Beauty”].
I’ve always said my favorite episode is “Skin Deep.”
I love that episode and it’s a perfect depiction of these characters.
We learn so much in one episode.
That’s mimicked in “Beauty,” which is just heartbreaking, but another pivotal moment for them.
As an actress, what do you think is your biggest takeaway from your time onOnce Upon a Time?
Is there anything you learned about yourself over the last six years or so?
I always like to learn.
I always think there’s no cap on learning.
That just goes on and on.
Everything I do, I have a go at take something from.
I’ve learned so much.
I’ve been blessed 1,000 times being able to work with Bobby.
I’ve been a fan of his work for so long, he’s an incredibly talented man.
Being able to do probably 90 percent of my work with him has just been a dream.
As an actor, I’ve learned so much from him.
In regards to playing Belle, it’s given me insights.
Am I doing this for myself or for someone else?"
“Am I in this relationship?
Am I doing this for me?”
Not that everything has to be self-centered, but, “Is this good for me?
Or is this actually really toxic to me and I’m doing it because I feel obligated?”
Finding that balance that she’s had to find is something I’ve taken away personally as well.
What’s next for you?
That’s what’s happening right now.
It’s been pretty cool and really nice.
The coolest thing is how people are being brought together by this truly lovely family that watches together.
It’s very heartwarming.
What do you want to say to theOUATfans on the night of your exit?
First, I hope you enjoy it.
The episode tonight is really, really special and close to my heart.
Bring a box of tissues or two, not just for sad tears, for happy tears.
It’s really beautiful.
And let me know what you think!
I’d love to hear what everyone thinks.
Snuggle up and enjoy, and I love you.
Once Upon a Timeairs Fridays at 8 p.m. Read our postmortem with executive producersAdam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis here, and our postmortem withRobert Carlyle here.
