It's a tale as old as time ... or at least as old as television: Actor from a successful ended series shows up on a new series.

Emilie de Ravin, who played Claire in the popular genre series "Lost," will guest star on ABC's "Once Upon A Time" as Belle, the Beauty, from the Beauty and Beast story.

"Once Upon A Time" finds characters from various fairy tales cursed to live in the real world -- in Storybrooke, Maine.

In the traditional tales, Belle seems to suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, falling in love with a horrible creature keeping her captive in his magical castle. Once she admits her love, the monster turns into a handsome prince, and the happily ever after commences.

Her role on "Once Upon A Time," so far is limited to one episode, where reports have her connected in some way to Rumpelstiltskin, portrayed by Robert Carlyle of "Stargate: Universe" fame. de Ravin's episode should air early next year.

Emilie de Ravin's acting credits include, among others, the horror movie "The Hills Have Eyes" and the television series "Roswell."

"Once Upon a Time" has come out of the gate strong for ABC, averaging a 6.9 rating/10 share, according to Fast National overnight ratings averages from The Nielsen Co. That leads Sundays for ABC, and pretty much all the networks. It has maintained an Audience Loyalty Index rating of 93.7, meaning that of all the people who have turned in for at least one episode of "Once Upon a Time," nearly 94 percent of them have returned each week for more.

ABC has given the series a full season pickup. It airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.