Sympathy for the De Vil Sympathy for the De Vil "Sympathy for the De Vil" is the eighteenth episode of the fourth season of the American fantasy drama series "Once Upon a Time", which aired on April 19, 2015. In this episode, a young Cruella de Vil is tortured by her mother's evil use of her Dalmatians, resulting in her eventual confinement to her attic until a strange visitor tells her she should stand up to her mother. In Storybrooke, Regina's plan to save Robin are put on hold when Henry is taken by Cruella, teaming her up with Emma Swan to save their son.
Cruella de Vil the novel. She was portrayed by Rachel York; however, the actress announced on her blog that she had stepped down from the role of Cruella de Vil to pursue other projects. The role was taken over by Sara Gettelfinger. Cruella first appears in the fourth book "Power Play", as a member of the Overtakers. She is valuable to them since she knows the ways of the modern world. Cruella works with the Evil Queen to free Maleficent and Chernabog, while making sure the Keepers stay off their trail. Using DHI technology, she and the Queen head for the power facility