In the Once Upon a Time episode “Greenbacks,” while Sabine takes on a risky but sweet tasting business venture in Hyperion Heights, her counterpart Tiana (Mekia Cox) tries to save her kingdom. She makes the mistake of seeking help from the villainous traveling soothsayer, Dr. Facilier (Daniel Francis). She learns the hard way not to put her trust in the doctor (he has an ulterior motive!), and that she really doesn’t need anyone’s help. In this episode, we meet Tiana’s loving mother, Eudora, who is based on the character from the Disney film The Princess and the Frog. In Once Upon a Time, Eudora is depicted as a noblewoman who was once rich but now faces financial disaster.
Eudora is portrayed by Robin Givens. She’s known for her roles on Riverdale (Mayor McCoy), 90210 (Cheryl Harwood), Chuck (Director Jane Bentley), House of Payne (Tanya), Head of the Class (high school student Darlene Merriman), and in the 1989 TV series The Women of Brewster Place (Kiswana/Melanie Browne), among others. Fun fact: Givens made her acting debut in the 1978 film The Wiz with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, as a guest at Aunt Emma’s Party. Once Upon a Time airs Fridays at 8pm on ABC.
