‘Once Upon a Time’ season 3 spoilers: Robert Carlyle’s Rumpelstiltskin gets an onscreen father

Who knew that this would be such a big week on “Once Upon a Time” when it comes to Rumpelstiltskin? Sunday night’s episode was really all about Robert Carlyle’s character and his past, and we are now about to get even more flashbacks that go even further into his childhood.

According to TV Guide, former “EastEnders” and “Shameless” star Stephen Lord has been cast to play the role of Rumple’s dear ol’ dad, who is going to appear in at least one episode slated right now to air on November 17. If you have studied the character over the years, then you already know that the father here is someone who was the man known as the “Dark One”. This man was branded a coward, and he was desperate to avoid that same fate, so when he bailed on being in the Ogre Wars by injuring himself, he then fell victim to that same fate.

This “coward” status was something that of course turned Rumple into the “Dark One” in the first place, since he was so desperate to prove himself the ultimate sorcerer that he decided to turn his back on everything that made him human in the first place. In meeting this man, maybe we can learn a little bit more about why he became such a nefarious villain. If nothing else, it should make for a great story that exposes us to yet another wrinkle that makes him such an interesting part of the show.

What do you think about this casting, and are you excited to see something more when it comes to the character? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below! Click here if you want to check out a preview for next week’s episode, which is going to have a story that is all about Colin O’Donoghue’s Captain Hook and his own journey.

Photo: ABC