Shock rocker Marilyn Manson and actor/comedian Whoopi Goldberg have each been cast to voice new characters in the Once Upon A Time universe. Already stacked with excellent talent both on screen and in the writing room, the two shows in the shared fantasy universe are constantly upping their game.
Rolling Stone reports that Manson will be voicing Shadow and giving life to “the very essence of Neverland”. If you’re not already familiar with this season’s plot, then you should know that the addition of Manson to the cast is far from the creepiest thing to come out of Once Upon A Time thus far. If the psychotic child character that is Peter Pan and his sadistic band of Lost Boys isn’t enough to make your childhood self wet the bed, then you’ll need to send some rubber sheets back in time by the end of this season.
We’ve already seen shadow a few times this season, but so far he’s remained silent and let his evil actions speak for him. It will be interesting to see what he could possibly have to say to make him more evil and frightening than the child stealing apparition that he already is.
Goldberg will be voicing the already mentioned, but not seen, wife of John Lithgow’s White Rabbit in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. Presumably she’ll be named Mrs. Rabbit (Jessica perhaps?), but hopefully we’ll get to know the proper names for both her and her husband. Wonderland is already off to a great start and is keeping up with its progenitor by seamlessly weaving multiple fairy tale worlds together to form a larger and very rich narrative.
Other than Lithgow and Goldberg, Wonderland also boasts veteran rocker and sometimes actor Iggy Pop as the voice of the caterpillar who is what I imagine Iggy Pop would be like if he were a giant caterpillar that owned a nightclub and got high all day. The only other actors on this show that I’ve heard of before are Naveen Andrews (Lost’s Sayid) as the evil Jafar and Being Human’s Michael Socha as the Knave of Hearts (as well as at least one other character whose name you’ll recognize).
Considering I’d only ever heard of one of the actors from Once Upon A Time prime when it first aired, I’ve had very high hopes for this spinoff and they continue to deliver.
TV Line didn’t have any details as to when Goldberg would be joining the cast, but I’m excited to see her in her new role and hope that it becomes a regular recurring character. Hopeful she acts as the White Rabbit’s conscience and gets him solidly back on the side of Alice.
There’s also no news as to when Manson will be heard on screen, but considering they can’t stay in Neverland forever, we’ll have to assume it will be for a limited time; hopefully until the season finale at least.
As a comic fan I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t make a recommendation. If you’re a fan of these shows or a fan of reimagined fairytales in general then you should check out the long running (11 years and counting!) book Fables and its spinoff titles all published by Vertigo.
Once Upon A Time, starring Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, Jared Gilmore, Colin O’Donoghue, Meaghan Ohry, Raphael Sbarge, and JoAnna Garcia, airs Sunday nights at 8/7c on ABC.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, starring Sophie Lowe, Michael Socha, Peter Gadiot, Emma Rigby, Naveen Andrews and John Lithgow, airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
Fables and its spinoff books are available at the best local comic shops worldwide.
