Frances O'Connor joins 'Once Upon a Time'

Actress Frances O'Connor has joined the cast of 'Once Upon a Time'.

The 47-year-old British actress will play Belle's (Emilie de Ravin) mother Colette in the ABC show's fourth season, reported Entertainment Weekly.

Colette will reportedly appear briefly in the sixth episode, before returning later in the season.

Producer Adam Horowitz has said that the character will be introduced via flashbacks.

"For the first time, we'll delve into Belle's past pre-the encounter with Rumple."

O'Connor previously starred in ABC's short-lived series 'Cashmere Mafia', while she has also had roles in 'Mansfield Park', 'Mr Selfridge', 'AI' and 'The Missing'.