Once Upon a Time Bosses Tease Tilly Backstory, ‘Epic’ LGBT Love Story
As hinted over the summer, Season 7 of ABC’s Once Upon a Time is laying the foundation for a new LGBT romance — some 18 months after Ruby realized and acted on her feelings for Dorothy.
As mentioned on passing in the Oct. 27 episode, Tilly aka the Hyperion Heights persona of Alice of Wonderland (and other places!) is gay, having once had a girlfriend who toiled for Victoria Belfrey. That personal detail, however, would wind up paling in comparison to the gradual reveal that Tilly when off her “meds” can see through the current mysterious curse, which she makes clear by taunting police detective Weaver with his real name — Rumplestiltskin.
By episode’s end, Tilly (played by the super-engaging Rose Reynolds) would be back on her meds and “asleep,” while Rumple is now “awake.” But how and why did Tilly/Alice achieve clarity in the first place?
“We’re going to get a little more into that in the winter finale (Episode 10),” Once co-creator Eddy Kitsis tells TVLine. “And we’re going to get into much more detail about Tilly in the second half of the season — including her flashbacks, a big arc for her and an epic love story we’re excited about.”
And whereas the aforementioned #RubySlippers epiphany and liplock seemed to some like mere fulfillment of a promise, Tilly’s love story will have greater stakes.
“It’s hard to explain without telling you too much…,” co-creator Adam Horowitz hedges, “but I’ll say this: the romance becomes really entwined in the larger story we’re telling for the season.
“It’s important on both a character level, for someone who’s in love and dealing with love,” he adds, “and on a larger plot level for the show.”
Want more scoop on Once, or for any other show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
I’m guessing the love interest is alt-Hook’s missing daughter?
I like that better than the tease that Tilly was the daughter.
I’d be okay with that, but it seems a little too straightforward.
No thanks. It’s like these writers choose romantic pairings by throwing darts at a wall of characters. They wanted to pat themselves on the back for RubySlippers, thinking queer fans would be happy about the equivalence of bread crumbs. And now they’re doing it again. I still pay attention to the show for Lana only but my god, this show is pure garage.
The purest garage. It’s practically a luxury car dealership.
lol… typos will always get ya
I totally agree with every word you said. And I love Lana too, she’s a great actress! I also like Emma (forgot her real name) but not as much as Lana ^^ and as for the rest I couldn’t have said it better.
I don’t care if there is a gay storyline or not. None of it is good anymore. The show has gone down the crapper.
if you don’t like the show anymore, stop watching it and definitely stop talking about it. come on now. stop wasting your time and find something you enjoy. for us, actual fans, theirs no reasons to assume that their won’t be any good stories this season.
Yeah because that’s exactly what the show producers want, to not talk about the show or watch it anymore don’t worry tho it’s getting there at this rate and with the ratings the show is getting I’m sure people wont talk or watch anymore because it’ll soon get canceled
I got gay vibes from her
Of course, everyone got gay vibes from her, she’s a copy of Emma Swan from the first seasons! lol
Because… blonde hair? [Insert thinking emoji]
Huh?
Why is it always the haters that respond? Yes it’s different. Yes they promise an LGBT story that I would love to see. I just think it’s a little early to call crap after only four episodes in at least two were very good. I say give it more time, I am enjoying it, and eager to see more before I call gold or crap.
Except when you fall in love with the show during the pilot episode, and have loved every season premier plus every mid season premier. And almost every episode.To go through this season, even 4 episodes without feeling that same magic, that is a big deal. I get that it is a reboot. I was one that was rooting for this season. But I can no longer deny that the same “pull” is not there that drew me into the show in the first place and had me watching 3-4 episodes a night during the summer between seasons 3 and 4 because I had just found out about the show and fell in love with it.
Honestly you have loved every season and mid-season premier? There have been some very weak ones, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. The lost boy story where they were stuck on the island the whole time?
My thoughts exactly. I feel exactly the same way😥Let’s gust be realistic it’s lost it’s spark.And in the world of television with how the ratings have been it’s only a matter of time. I doubt they’ll make it past the mid season finale, that’s just how the network works. They bearly got renewed for s7 in the first place. Let’s just face facts they jumped the shark and the shark won😔
I agree I like it give it a chance damn people!
Plus I am really enjoying the character of Tilly. And the mystery of the relationship between Tilly and Rumple, and how he told her to shoot him.
Me too. I’m eager to this story unfold. At least now we know how Rumple got caught up in the curse.
yeah i don’t trust these writers with any LGBTQ story because the ones they have written were terrible. the mulan/philip/aurora triangle was clearly hastily rewritten as a means to please the sleeping warrior fans, which the writers hadn’t counted on (any mulan/philip scene proves the triangle was about him, not aurora), which was a shame cause it could’ve been so beautiful.
the ruby/dorothy “romance” was just sloppy writing and clearly done because they were not regular characters and wouldn’t have to appear again.
it really is too bad, because the idea of any disney prince or princess being gay/bi/etc could’ve been groundbreaking, but i’ve lost faith in these writers years ago.
Listen!
We, the fans, decide what is epic and what is not. And this is not going to be epic in any way. No, thank you. They had their chance at epic in Season 1. They blew it. All over social media the majority of LGBT ppl don’t want this! It’s time for showrunners to understand that we’re no longer content with scraps nor will we stay silent when we don’t like something.
Oh so now we know without having seen the LBGT story, that it is already s–t? Give them a chance. I thought the Mulan, Auroa story was more about Mukan crushing on Auroa, and it being a more of crushing on the princess.
Opps Mulan
everyone has the right to their opinions… even the writers. if they think this romance is epic, than they can call it epic. how do you even know that most lgbt ppl don’t want a gay romance? i’m pretty sure they are always talking about wanting more of them, not less. And you have no reason to hate a romance that you haven’t even seen.
Exactly, wait and see.
Being LGBT I agree more representation.
Wait, wait, wait. I’ve been watching since the beginning. What did I miss? Can you tell me, what was the epic LGBT chance they blew in S1? I don’t remember this. Thanks!
Oh, it’s Mulan. Yup, I forgot about Mulan.
Oh, for crying out loud! Stop with the “We, the fans!” business. You do NOT speak for all of the fans. You don’t even speak for all the GAY fans. You just sound obnoxious.
Could not have said it better myself.
My guess is Ivy…..wouldn’t that freak Victoria out.
That would be a great twist.
I was thinking perhaps Anastasia, the daughter Victoria is trying to bring back to life. That would get Alice/Tilly twisted if she’s trying to wake everyone up, but then learns she has to turn on everyone in order for Anastasia to live.
That does sound like an even better idea the Ivy. Either one of the sisters would be a great idea, and would hopefully give Victoria more dimension than just being evil.
If I remember correctly, they said Anastasia was 14 when she “died.” So we’d better hope she wasn’t Tilly’s love interest!
Maybe it’s just me, but after the last episode, I actually think the show will be creating some sort of Ivy/Henry/Jacinda love triangle soon. It seems like something was developing between Henry and Ivy while they were looking for Lucy.
I got that feeling too. Adelaide Kane has chemistry with everyone.
This time it looks promising, but it’s OUAT, and so many things looked promising before…
Not to mention, we’d like some princes in love this time: you already tried princesses and you FAILED MISERABLY.
Also, there need to be more male characters, just to add some variety.
I thought the gay storyline this season wa s going to be with guys. As great it is period to have a gay storyline it’s disappointing it’s another lesbian storyline. Cue the judgements…
@ Matty Si – I agree. The storyline with Alice will be the 3rd lesbian arc they’ve done (unless I’ve miscounted). I would’ve preferred something with two men instead. It’s about time, if you ask me.
I would like a gay story line than a lesbian one its kinda boring the lesbian romance and the one A&E failed miserably on the last 2
It is not an arc if it lasted 15 minutes in one episode.
Agreed. I wish it were two guys this time around especially with them using new versions of already done storylines. We could have two princes or something. But it took the show long enough to have even one gay/lesbian romance and they failed at that one (not to mention the Mulan/Aurora/Philip fail). I doubt they’d include two.
I wish they would have done a gay romance this time around with two guys. It’s great that they’ll be including another gay romance, but why does it have to be another lesbian one? Especially with how they are doing new versions of their stories. I mean they’ve already failed miserably with the Mulan/Aurora stuff. And Ruby and Dorothy was a joke (one random episode and all but forgotten forever). Why couldn’t we have a gay romance this time with like two princes or something? Are they afraid of backlash because it would be two men on a fairytale/Disney show? Oh well, hopefully they do this Alice romance story right this time around and not just forget about it after one episode. I am enjoying the new season so far though for the most part. And I like this Alice better than the Wonderland spin-off version.
@ abz – I agree. I’ve always wanted to see a storyline involving men. For example, a prince could be forced to marry a princess from another kingdom. Then, he goes around trying to find her, but then falls for one of her male servants instead (or something like that).
I’m liking this season more and more every week. I just wish we’d have answers about the new Dark Curse and why/how everybody got there already. It seems like it’s going to be a slow burn before all that’s revealed, though.
Looooove Alice and all the mystery around her. I adore her so much. And I’m psyched that she’s the LGBTQ character they’ve been promising because I think they need that character to have a lot of, well, character. And Alice definitely has that. I had thought her character’s love interest might be Ivy (like, Ivy is torn between following her mothers orders or true love or whatever) but i like the idea about Anastasia much better. And it seems like I read an interview where the actress who plays Ivy said Ivy is evil to the core but I could be remembering that wrong. I don’t know. Regardless, I’m so pleased with Alice the Lesbian and frankly I think most of the people complaining are SQ fans who are just unhappy that it’s anyone other than Regina and/or Emma.
They apparently only can do L stories, because they only focus on the lesbian in LBGT. Where is the gay love story? etc
Two women make straight more comfortable. There is less fingers on my hand than shows with two gay men. As a gay man I feel that Lesbians are part of our community and therefore there is representation of my community.
I never implied that lesbians were not a part of our community. My point was that producers/writers are most likely straight and feel only comfortable writing lesbian storylines as they have done twice before on this show. I was just questioning where the gay story was especially since this is a reboot – they should do something new and not do another lesbian love story.
No I agree that they should be able to write a romance between to men. However, because of the reboot, new night, and trying to get their audience back it might be detrimental two have two men, instead of the tried and true two females. They will most definitely play it safe, as most network shows do…Grey’s Arizona to my understanding is the only other gay story on ABC. Similar is Fox’s Lucifer they have said that Lucifer has had sex with both men and women, but all we see is him with other woman. It must be too terrifying to risk a show’s success than to play a relationship between to men. Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe this is a great talking point, sadly it’s just that, mostly talk. Nashville did a great storyline with a male gay country singer, but it seems that safe is better.
HTGAWM has Connor and Oliver, two men. Also Modern Family with Cameron and Mitchell.
Why do they call it LGBT? Where’s the “T” in this? (or the B for that matter?)
L: Lesbians
G: Gays (Homosexual men)
B: Bisexual
T: Transgenders
Q: Questioning (Not sure of their sexuality)
A: Asexuals
And I didn’t get My ballot to Change it from GLBT!!!
^^X^^
Two women is a GAY story.
Wasn’t it teased that ep 10 would introduce a character, who would turn out to be a love interest AND a Family member of someone? Well, 1+1 and we know she will date Hook’s daughter.
She’s Hook’s daughter and she will date Robin, Zelena’s daughter
So much for hoping for a Rumple-Tilly ship…
Why does once constantly do lesbian relationships as the LGBT love story? Are they too terrified at ABC to show two men kissing in the fairy tale world?
Constantly? I have seen one failed attempt with Milan and Audra, and a blink and you missed it win Ruby and Dorothy. How is that constantly in 6 years?
And Ruby/Dorothy was 18 months ago. +175 TVLine Power User points (no cash value)
Woo-hoo! Thank you so much.
It still doesn’t make up for the fact that TV in general uses gay relationships with women more than men because they can cater to the straight demographic and not freak out insecure men.
The writers on this show are generally more interested in writing women, what with most fairy tales being focused on Princesses and evil queens.
Most LGBT storylines on TV are about gay men. Let us lesbians have SOMETHING for once, ok?
Well thats it for me! I am now done with a show I really used to enjoy. NO LGBT for me!!😡👎
Good riddance!
I agree, Donna. I thought it was a family show. Thanks for the heads up, everyone. Now I know I can’t watch it with my kids anymore. OUAT jumped the sharks after season 3 anyway.
Donna and Lyn, I totally agree with you! I used to love this show but this lgbt promoting it’s just.. unwatchable. It’s a big loss because the idea behind the show was amazing.
Are you guys having some fun with us? Oh I get the confusion – a Disney show that ran on Sunday nights. Yeah I think the first time Regina brutally ripped out a heart, held it up in front of her face & smiled evilly cemented that it was NOT a family show, not really. So just to see if I have this right: Regina ripping out hearts does not disqualify it from being a family show, but just the idea of a relationship that doesn’t look the same has you shouting that it’s
not a family show anymore?
I agree that the idea behind the season is a good one, better than I thought. It’s a shame that you’d bail on a show you enjoy simply because a couple of characters don’t have the orientation you’d like them to have. I don’t ever remember this show focusing too much on characters’ romantic/aww lives anyway. They’ve normally devoted 1 ep & then move on. Anyway, it never really was a family show…..
Yeah well you thought wrong. This is far from a family show. Anyone with common sense can see that it’s geared more towards teens/young adults and older. People like you disgust me. So it’s okay for your kids to see all the adult themes in the with all of the violence, murder, rape, sex, innuendo, adultery, kidnapping, etc., but a relationship between two non-heterosexual people is where you draw the line? Can’t stand homophobes.
I am so pissed about this show. I would not miss an episode before this season, even though these pathetic writers pushed the lesbian/gay thing. I could care less who sleeps with whom. I just have a problem understanding why one’s sexual preference is brought into a family show at all. It was enough that they had Alice and Red together, added the kiss that was more passionate and provocative than any male or female character has ever done on the show. I am so sick of the LBGT community expecting special privileges just because they choose to sleep with the same sex. If they want to sleep with each other, go for it, but how in hell do you expect to be treated special for it. This amazes me. Now they have taken the month of October from Breast Cancer Awareness so Hollywood gays and lesbians can be acknowledged. What in the hell does this even mean? Do we heterosexuals expect to have our own month and expect special privileges? Maybe we should for the fact alone, that we can procreate. What the hell is wrong with this world. I will never ever watch the show again, and cannot wait until it’s cancelled.
Firstly, it was Red and Dorothy together. not Red and Alice.If you’re going to put something down, at least get your facts straight. How anyone can qualify OUAT exclusively as a “family” show with all the major adult themes throughout, I will never understand. And even if it was a family show. Gay people have families too. And they are part of families just like heterosexual people are. Why do you think they undeserving of television representation?
Special privileges? Are you kidding? Wanting to see representation in film and television is not special privileges.
“Do we heterosexuals expect to have our own month and expect special privileges?” –> Almost every single character/coupling on TV and film is predominantly heterosexual. In OUAT, there are plenty of examples: Emma/Hook, Regina/Robin, Snow/Charming, Belle/Charming, and the list goes on and you’re b*tching about LGBT romances on the show which haven’t even been portrayed well (Mulan/Aurora was a fail, and Red/Dorothy was a one-off pairing for one episode that were never heard of again).
“What the hell is wrong with the world?” — Homophobic people like you are what’s wrong. You say you could care less, but your comment definitely implies otherwise.
And while I’m not sure what you’re what your going on about with the month of October, but I’m sure many people are capable of rooting for more than one thing at a time (i.e. Breast Cancer Awareness as well as LGBT).
Wow, are you angry much? I am not sure that what we want is special privileges, but more that we want our children and their friends to see people on TV that look like their families. So they understand that having two daddies or two mommies does not make their family any less than any of their friends families. There is not much family TV that emphasize this for our son. It really has nothing to do with who sleeps with who, as much as who loves who. I want my child to see they can love anybody they want, and that it’s okay and they will be accepted. That is why LBGT stories in family shows are important to my family. Hey I think of October as breast cancer awareness month. I had no idea that we stole that for ourselves. I truly hope you find find so kind of peace, and no one is forcing you to watch anything you don’t want too. As far as straight people being lauded because they can procreate, families come together differently and all our special. I hope for you all the best.
Ummm you would be part of a family but you will never have a family same sex cant biologically have kids. At least not with their partner anyway so. Why is it so important for you all to share your ways with other peoples children….. is there a motive.
So Chizzel, you are saying that my family is somehow less than your family? My family practices unconditional love and a respect for all families regardless of how they are made up. I am sorry that you can’t see all the ways families are made, my two children are bright, happy, loving and compassionate. They see beyond the differences that make up our country and can look at an individual and see them and love them for who they are. What is sad is that my kids would look upon you with compassion, understanding that your hate is really just fear. Unfortunately, I as a parent sees your words with disgust, you are ignorant and afraid of life outside your four walls, or a someone failing on the wrong side of the Cross. How terribly sad for you that my family is so much more evolved than yours. We will pray for you.
Why is it so important for you all to share your ways with other peoples children….. is there a motive? Yes, there is a motive. I want representation so that my children aren’t bullied by kids who have ignorant parents, Like you.
I said this last time when people threw out the “it’s a family show!!!” crap when they had the Dorothy/Ruby kiss.
This “family show” has had murder, dark magic, death, rape, alcohol, adultery, numerous violent encounters…but sure, it’s the two characters who happen to be of the same sex being in love that is just too much. Won’t somebody please think of the children?!
Lol. You have the jokes!
Have they explained how this Alice is not the same one from OUAT Wonderland? Or does that story even still exist?
It was already established in the beginning of the season that there are many versions of the characters in the OUAT universe. I think Henry told Regina about it before he left Storybrooke on his motorcycle. If you recall, there was already a version of Cinderella back in Storybrooke, but here they are showing another version of her with Jacinda. Alice is another example of this. She is another version of Alice different from the one from the Wonderland spin-off.
Totally not ok with the glamorizing and endorsement of the LGBT. I will no longer watch or recommend this show again
Off you fork, deary.
I’m all for it. I like my representation being the “L” in LGBT, although with how many times I’ve been burned I don’t have high hopes.
I loved this show over the years. Not sure how I feel about it now.
Let’s put it this way=Sunday was my time to watch OUAT. This season Fri night comes and maybe I’ll watch it. Not the same magic it had. It’s a different show. Not happy.
I know. I have not remembered to watch it on Friday yet. I just watch it on abc.com
Isn’t it really just an ‘L’ story?