Kristin Bauer van Straten Returning to Once Upon a Time

Kristin Bauer van Straten will reprise her role as Maleficent on Once Upon a Time, Entertainment Weekly reports.

When the True Blood alum last appeared in Season 2 of the ABC drama, what remained of Maleficent's body after Emma had slain her became reanimated into a zombie creature stuck in the cave under the clock tower.  

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Bauer van Straten will recur in a major story arc during the second half of Season 4, raising questions that Maleficent might become the show's next big bad once the Frozen story line ices over. There's also the chance that Maleficent's return will draw more from the Angelina Jolie movie rather than Sleeping Beauty since Aurora is already married and pregnant. Here's hoping they do and that Once takes inspiration from Maleficent by including Aurora's father, King Stefan, the love of the witch's life who burned her wings.

Once Upon a Time returns Sunday, Sept. 28 at 8/7 on ABC.