This article focuses on the character, Ava Zimmer. For Ava's Enchanted Forest counterpart, see Gretel.

Ava Zimmer
Storybrooke Character
Biographical Information
Counterpart:	Gretel
Status:	Alive
Physical Description
Species:	Human
Gender:	Female
Hair color:	Blonde
Eye color:	Brown
Relationships
Relatives:	Dory Zimmer (mother) † Michael Tillman (father) Nicholas Zimmer (brother)
Current Allies:	Emma Swan Henry Mills
Current Enemies:	Regina Mills
Show Information
Portrayed by:	Karley Scott Collins
Appears in:	"True North"
Relevant Pages
GALLERY

Ava Zimmer is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. She débuts in the ninth episode of the first season. She is portrayed by guest star Karley Scott Collins, and is the Storybrooke counterpart of Gretel.

HistoryEdit

For events occurring before the casting of the Dark Curse, see Gretel.

During the CurseEdit

Twelve year old Nicholas and Ava Zimmer attempt to steal food by putting it into Henry Mills' backpack, and frame him for it when they are caught. Emma Swan takes the children to what they claim is their house. However, as Emma starts to get out of her car, Ava says that her parents would be too embarrassed if she came in. Emma tells them that she can tell whenever someone is lying to her, but Ava sticks by her story.

Seemingly satisfied, Emma watches them go to the doorstep and then drives away. Once she is gone, the children run from the house and take the back alleyway to an abandoned house. They hear someone moving upstairs and go up to investigate, and find Emma waiting for them. She asks where their parents are and Ava admits that they do not have any.

Emma then goes on to look for their parents. She learns their mother, Dory Zimmer, passed away some time ago. Her only clue is a trinket Dory used to keep, and she goes to Mr. Gold to ask him if someone in town purchased the item in his shop before. Mr. Gold is able to give her the name of the man, Michael Tillman, a local mechanic. He denies the children are his, but recognizes an item Emma shows him, which is something he gave to Dory a long time ago. He wants nothing to do with his kids, especially since he was unaware of their existence until now, and cannot accept the responsibility. Ava and Nicholas are supposed to be taken to Boston to be put into foster care if their father continues to reject them. As they leave, Emma Swan's car breaks down and she calls Tillman.

Ava notices that her compass needle is moving. Tillman arrives in his tow truck and realizes that the children are his. He thinks for a moment and agrees with Emma, and then goes to his children. ("True North")

TriviaEdit

• "Ava" is derived from the Latin avis, meaning bird. It can also be considered a Hebrew name meaning "life" or "snake".
• Actor Robert Carlyle (Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin) has a daughter named Ava.
• Ava and Nicholas are twins. ("True North")

AppearancesEdit