# Rose McIver's Career Path From Tinker Bell to Ghosts Before starring in the CBS comedy Ghosts, Rose McIver played Tinker Bell on ABC. - **Source:** [TVLine](https://tvline.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d1c1e18d-a2a9-4b5b-a03e-bad5e32b3255 ## Supernatural Career Trajectory Rose McIver has established a distinct career path by consistently appearing in projects involving the supernatural. Before her current lead role as Samantha Arondekar on the CBS comedy Ghosts, she built an impressive resume featuring various afterlife-themed characters. This trend began with her supporting role in the 2009 film The Lovely Bones. ## Role as Tinker Bell Between her other ghoulish projects, McIver took on a lighter fantasy role as Tinker Bell in the ABC drama Once Upon a Time. The series reimagined classic fairytale characters whose memories were erased by the Evil Queen. In this version, Tinker Bell faced unique challenges, including being stripped of her wings. ## Complex Character Backstory The show provided a fresh take on Tinker Bell, revealing an unlikely past friendship with Regina, the Evil Queen. Tinker Bell had stolen pixie dust from the Blue Fairy to help Regina, which led to her punishment. This narrative arc allowed McIver to explore a character defined by resentment and past mistakes. ## Reimagining Classic Lore Once Upon a Time departed from traditional depictions by portraying Peter Pan as a sinister villain rather than a hero. McIver’s Tinker Bell helped Captain Hook track down Pan, marking a significant shift from her usual Neverland origins. This version emphasized her struggle to regain her wings and her complex moral standing. ## Drawing From Original Source McIver noted that her portrayal was heavily influenced by J.M. Barrie’s original Peter Pan writings. She explained that because fairies are minute, they experience only one intense emotion at a time. This psychological constraint informed her performance, allowing her to oscillate between being an encouraging fairy and a deeply jealous individual. ## Emotional Intensity Portrayal The actress highlighted that Tinker Bell’s emotions were all-consuming in the series. When jealousy or resentment took hold, it entirely defined her character's actions during those moments. This nuanced approach to the classic character helped distinguish the show's version from previous adaptations, grounding the magical figure in relatable, albeit extreme, human-like emotional states. ## Transition to Ghosts Following her time in the fairytale-inspired world of Storybrooke, McIver transitioned to the CBS comedy Ghosts. The series, which is based on a U.K. production of the same name, focuses on a couple living in a house inhabited by spirits. She currently stars as Samantha, navigating interactions with various ghostly acquaintances. ## Current Series Status Ghosts is currently airing its sixth season, continuing the actress's long-standing connection to supernatural themes. New episodes of the comedy are broadcast every Thursday on CBS. This role marks the latest chapter in a career defined by diverse portrayals of spirits, zombies, and magical beings across various television and film projects. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.tvline.com/2305597/ghosts-rose-mciver-disney-tinker-bell-abc-once-upon-a-time/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._