Since the show’s inception, ‘Once Upon A Time’ has presented reimagined versions of classic Disney characters that we have all come to grow up with. Characters from ‘Mulan’, ‘Alice In Wonderland’, ‘Aladdin’, and more have manifested in various ways on the ABC fantasy series. Now, it’s time for another popular animated film to make it’s way into Storybrooke as a new prince and princess have been added to the cast.

According to an exclusive scoop from TV Line, Ariel and Prince Eric from ‘The Little Mermaid’ will find their way onto ‘Once Upon A Time’ next season. Debuting in the sixth episode titled ‘Ariel’, the pair are said to have pivotal roles in a multi-episode arc.

Eric will be played by Gil McKinney, who has appeared ‘ER’, ‘Friday Night Lights’, and ‘Supernatural’, where he played Sam and Dean’s grandfather, Henry Winchester, in the show’s eight season. Ariel will be played by ‘Reba’ star JoAnna Garcia Swisher, whose name has been rumored to be attached to the role of everyone’s favorite mermaid since season one.

Little is known about how Emma, Regina, and company will encounter the couple from under the sea, but chances are that they will meet on the journey to Neverland. Chances are that a flashback aspect could be involved as well where the two are somehow connected to one of the travelers on Hook’s ship. Is it possible that the Evil Queen will step into the role of Ursula in this version of the story? Or what if Snow and Eric were good friends at some point before he got married? There are quite a few possibilities, but we’ll find out soon enough when the show returns to television later this month.

Do you have any theories about Ariel and Eric in ‘Once Upon A Time’? What do you think of the show’s casting choices for these beloved characters? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below.

‘Once Upon A Time’ starring Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Lana Parrilla, Colin O’Donoghue, Michael Raymond-James, and Robert Carlyle returns to ABC on Sunday, September 29, 2013.