Once Upon a Time (TV series)

The series is primarily set in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, in which the residents are actually fairy tale characters that were transported to the real world town and robbed of their memories by Regina, the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla), who used a powerful dark curse obtained from Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle). The residents of Storybrooke, where Regina is mayor, have lived an unchanging existence for 28 years, unaware of their own agelessness and their past lives. The town's only hope lies with a bail bond agent named Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who is the daughter of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas). Emma was transported from the Enchanted Forest to the real world via a magic wardrobe as an infant before the curse was cast. As such, she is the Savior, the only person who can break the curse and restore everyone's lost memories. She is aided by her ten-year-old son, Henry Mills (Jared S. Gilmore), with whom she was recently reunited after giving him up for adoption upon his birth, and his Once Upon a Time book of fairy tales that holds the key to breaking the curse. Henry is also the adopted son of Regina, providing a source of both conflict and common interest between the two women.

Episodes usually have one segment that details the characters' past lives that, when serialized, adds a piece to the puzzle about the characters and their connection to the events that preceded the curse and its consequences. The other segment, set in the present day, follows a similar pattern with a different outcome, but also offers similar insights.

In the first season, the Evil Queen interrupts the wedding of Snow White and Prince Charming to announce that she will cast a curse on everyone that will leave her with the only happy ending. As a result, the majority of the characters are transported to the town of Storybrooke, Maine, where most of them have been stripped of their original memories and identities as fairy tale characters. On her 28th birthday, Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, is brought to Storybrooke by her biological son Henry Mills in the hopes of breaking the curse cast by his adoptive mother, Regina Mills–the Evil Queen.

In the second season, despite Emma having broken the curse, the characters are not returned to the fairytale world and must deal with their own dual identities. With the introduction of magic into Storybrooke by Rumplestiltskin, the fates of the two worlds become intertwined, and new threats emerge in the form of Killian Jones (Colin O'Donoghue), Regina's mother Cora (Barbara Hershey), and sinister operatives Greg Mendell (Ethan Embry) and Tamara (Sonequa Martin-Green) from the real world with an agenda to destroy magic.

In the third season, the main characters travel to Neverland to rescue Henry, who has been kidnapped by Peter Pan (Robbie Kay) as part of a plan to obtain the "Heart of the Truest Believer" from him. Their increasing power struggle with Pan continues in Storybrooke, which results in the reversal of the original curse. All the characters are returned to their original worlds, leaving Emma and Henry to escape to New York City. The characters are then mysteriously brought back to a recreated Storybrooke with their memories of the previous year removed, and the envious Zelena / Wicked Witch of the West (Rebecca Mader) from Oz appears with a plan to change the past, prompting Emma and Henry to return.

In the fourth season, Emma and Hook's time travel adventures lead to the accidental arrival of Elsa (Georgina Haig) from the Enchanted Forest of the past to present-day Storybrooke. As she searches for her younger sister Anna (Elizabeth Lail) with the aid of the town's residents, they encounter the Snow Queen (Elizabeth Mitchell). Meanwhile, Regina seeks the author of Henry's Once Upon a Time book so that she can have her happy ending. Later on, a banished Rumplestiltskin returns with the help of Cruella de Vil (Victoria Smurfit), Maleficent (Kristin Bauer van Straten), and Ursula (Merrin Dungey), carrying out his own plans to rewrite the rules governing the fates of all heroes and villains. Henry and Emma race to restore reality and the truth before the twisted inversion becomes permanent.

In the fifth season, the characters embark on a quest to Camelot to find the Sorcerer Merlin (Elliot Knight) in order to free Emma from the powers of an ancient darkness. To complicate matters, King Arthur (Liam Garrigan) sets out to alter the balance between light and darkness using Excalibur and the help of a vengeful Zelena. A tragic loss forces Emma to lead a rescue party to the Underworld, where the gang encounters souls of those with unfinished business and must face the conniving Hades (Greg Germann). The characters' dangerous manipulations of magic lead to the separation of Regina and her Evil Queen persona, as well as the arrival of Dr. Jekyll (Hank Harris) and Mr. Hyde (Sam Witwer).

In the sixth season, the residents of Storybrooke set out to protect the town from the combined threat of Mr. Hyde and an unleashed Evil Queen, as well as dealing with new arrivals from the Land of Untold Stories. Emma's destiny as the Savior weighs heavy on her, and her desperation to alter her fate leads to revelations about a mysterious new arrival: Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz). The war between light and darkness leads to the arrival of the Black Fairy (Jaime Murray) as well as the final battle that was prophesied before the casting of the original curse.

In the seventh and final season, years after the final battle, Lucy (Alison Fernandez) arrives in the fictional neighborhood of Hyperion Heights in Seattle, Washington with her Once Upon a Time book to find her now-adult father Henry (Andrew J. West), who is needed by his family. Henry, along with characters from the New Enchanted Forest, have been brought to the neighborhood under a new curse and are caught in a rising conflict involving Cinderella (Dania Ramirez) and Lady Tremaine (Gabrielle Anwar), whose dangerous history with Mother Gothel (Emma Booth) is revealed, as well as the agendas of Dr. Facilier (Daniel Francis). Lucy must try to break this new curse and free her parents with the help of the now-cursed Regina, Wish Realm{{Efn|The Wish Realm is a world created via a genie wish and is populated with alternate versions of the characters, first seen in the season six episode "Wish You Were Here".}} Hook, Rumplestiltskin and Zelena. As they succeed in breaking the curse, the arrival of Wish Realm Rumplestiltskin with a plot to condemn every hero into eternal unhappiness leads to an ultimate sacrifice to save their happily ever after.

{{Main|List of Once Upon a Time episodes|l1 = List of Once Upon a Time episodes}}

{{:List of Once Upon a Time episodes}}

{{main|List of Once Upon a Time characters|l1 = List of Once Upon a Time characters}}

Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis conceived Once Upon a Time in 2004 before joining the writing staff of Lost but wanted to wait until that series was over to focus on this project.{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/10/exclusive-lost-exec-producers-horowitz-kitsis-sell-pilot-to-abc.html|title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Lost' exec producers Horowitz, Kitsis sell pilot to ABC|date=October 28, 2010|last=Levine|first=Stuart|work=Variety|access-date=August 2, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716140335/http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/10/exclusive-lost-exec-producers-horowitz-kitsis-sell-pilot-to-abc.html|archive-date=July 16, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

{{Quote box |quoted=true |width=30%|align=right| quote=The idea is to take these characters that we all know collectively and try to find things about them that we haven't explored before. Sometimes it's a story point, sometimes it's a thematic connection, sometimes it's a dilemma they face in both worlds that is similar. We are not generally retelling the exact same story as the fairy tale world. | source =— Executive producer Adam Horowitz}}

Eight years before the pilot began development (the two had just completed their work on Felicity, in 2002), Kitsis and Horowitz became inspired to write fairy tales out of a love of "mystery and excitement of exploring lots of different worlds."{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/adam-horowitz-once-upon-a-time-interview/121906/ |title=Co-Creator/Executive Producer Adam Horowitz Once Upon a Time Interview |first=Christina |last=Radish |website=Collider |date=October 23, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224191254/http://collider.com/adam-horowitz-once-upon-a-time-interview/121906/ |url-status=dead }}

They presented the premise to numerous networks, but were refused due to its fantastical nature.

From their time on Lost, the writers learned to look at the story in a different way,

namely that "character has to trump mythology."{{cite web |url=http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/15/nycc-once-upon-a-time-pilot-screening-and-panel/ |title=NYCC – Once Upon a Time – Pilot Screening and Panel |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=January 3, 2012 |date=October 15, 2011 |author=Keily, Karl |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123154446/http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/15/nycc-once-upon-a-time-pilot-screening-and-panel |url-status=dead }}

They explained,

As people, you've got to see what the void in their heart or in their lives is to care about them ... For us, this was as much about the character journeys and seeing what was ripped from them in coming to Storybrooke – going at it that way as opposed to making it the 'break-the-curse show.'{{cite web |url=http://www.spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/12/16/kitsis-horowitz-talk-willingham-once-upon-a-time/ |title=Once Upon a Time Creators Talk Willingham, Lindelof and Icons |first=Kiel |last=Phegley |website=Comic Book Resources |date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107150653/http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/12/16/kitsis-horowitz-talk-willingham-once-upon-a-time |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

Despite the comparisons and similarities to Lost, the writers intend them to be very different shows.

To them, Lost concerned itself with redemption, while Once Upon a Time is about "hope".{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/5850277/in-once-upon-a-time-all-of-your-favorite-fairy-tale-characters-are-trapped-in-maine |title=On the TV show Once Upon a Time, all of your favorite fairy tale characters are trapped in Maine |first=Kaila |last=Hale-Stern |publisher=io9 |date=October 16, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012}}

Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof aided in the development of the series as an uncredited consultant. Kitsis and Horowitz called him a "godfather" to the series.{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/114/1147128p1.html | title=Lost Writers' Once Upon a Time Among ABC Pilot Orders |first=Eric |last=Goldman |website=IGN |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/03/07/robert-carlyle-is-rumpelstiltskin-in-abcs-once-upon-a-time/ |title=Robert Carlyle Is Rumplestiltskin in ABC's Once Upon A Time |first=Kevin |last=Melrose |website=Comic Book Resources |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618211840/http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/03/07/robert-carlyle-is-rumpelstiltskin-in-abcs-once-upon-a-time |url-status=dead }} To differentiate the storytelling from what the audience already knew, the writing staff decided to begin the pilot with the end of the typical Snow White fairytale. Themes concerning family and motherhood were emphasized, in contrast to the focus on fatherhood in Lost. Kitsis and Horowitz sought to write strong female characters, rather than the classic damsel in distress. Horowitz stated their desire to approach each character the same way, asking themselves, "How do we make these icons real, make them relatable?"{{cite web |url=http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/08/25/losts-kitsis-and-horowitz-start-at-the-beginning-with-once-upon-a-time/ |title=Lost's Kitsis, Horowitz Start at the Beginning With Once Upon A Time |first=Josie |last=Campbell |website=Comic Book Resources |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118041723/http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/08/25/losts-kitsis-and-horowitz-start-at-the-beginning-with-once-upon-a-time/ |url-status=dead }}

The pilot is meant to be the "template of the series". Kitsis confirmed that every week will contain flashbacks between both worlds, as they "love the idea of going back and forth and informing what the character is missing in their life." The writers' desire to present a "mash up" of many small characters can be seen in a scene of the pilot, in which there is a war council featuring Geppetto, Pinocchio, and Grumpy. Horowitz elaborated, "One of the fun things for us coming up with these stories is thinking of ways these different characters can interact in ways they never have before." Since then, the showrunners have added more elements, and given its ties to Disney, have expanded the universe to include more recent material, by throwing out hints that they might look ahead at incorporating characters from Brave and Frozen in future seasons, if they get the green light from Disney.[http://www.eonline.com/news/517990/once-upon-a-time-bosses-want-to-do-frozen-and-brave-princesses-and-here-s-who-should-play-them "Once Upon a Time Bosses Want to Do Frozen and Brave Princesses—and Here's Who Should Play Them"] from E! Online (March 10, 2014) The characters from Frozen and Brave ultimately appeared as supporting characters in the fourth and fifth seasons, respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/11/once-upon-a-time-frozen-2/|title=39 burning/freezing questions about [SPOILER] on 'Once Upon a Time'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 28, 2014}}{{cite web |author=Ratcliffe, Amy |date=July 11, 2015 |title=COMIC-CON: ONCE UPON A TIME TALKS DARK SWAN AND MERIDA FOR SEASON 5 |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/07/11/comic-con-once-upon-a-time-talks-dark-swan-and-merida-for-season-5 |access-date=July 11, 2015 |publisher=IGN}}

The general premise, importing the Snow White core characters into the "real world", was previously seen on ABC television in the short-lived 1980s comedy The Charmings. The show also has a similar premise to Bill Willingham's ten-year-old comic series Fables, to which ABC bought the rights in 2008 but never made it past planning stages. After Fables fans raised controversy over possible appropriation, the show writers initially denied a link, but later said they may have "read a couple issues" of the comic book and while the two concepts are "in the same playground", they are "telling a different story." Bill Willingham responded to the controversy in an interview, where he stated he did not feel the show was plagiarism and said: "Maybe they did remember reading Fables back then, but didn't want to mention it because we've become a very litigious people."{{cite news|url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/08/5-real-truths-once-upon-a-time/|title=Real Truths Behind ABC's Once Upon a Time (Including That Pesky Fables Comparison)|work=TVLine|access-date=August 26, 2011|date=August 7, 2011|author1=Webb Mitovich, Matt|author2=Masters, Megan|archive-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808223131/http://tvline.com/2011/08/07/5-real-truths-once-upon-a-time/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=35737|title=Bill Willingham on Fables vs Once}}

File:Once upon a time season three cast.jpg

The secondary character casting director Samuel Forsyth started the casting process in 2010. Horowitz stated that everyone they initially wanted for roles in the series accepted their roles after being sent a script. Ginnifer Goodwin was cast as Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard,{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/ginnifer-goodwin-joins-abcs-once-upon-a-time-110902/ |title=Ginnifer Goodwin Joins ABC Drama Pilot 'Once Upon A Time' As Snow White |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 4, 2012 |date=March 3, 2011 |author=Andreeva, Nellie}} who appreciated that she would be playing a strong character that was fleshed out for the audience. Goodwin had stated in interviews that she would love to play Snow White, and called her acceptance of the role "a no-brainer."{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/interviews/2011/10/21/interview-once-upon-a-time-co-stars-ginnifer-goodwin-josh-dallas-and-lana-parrilla-216214/20111021_onceuponatime/ |title=Interview: "Once Upon a Time" Co-Stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas & Lana Parrilla |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=January 3, 2012 |date=October 21, 2011 |author=Halterman, Jim}} Both Kitsis and Horowitz are self-described big fans of Goodwin's previous series, Big Love, and wrote the part of Snow White with her in mind. Josh Dallas, who portrays Prince Charming / David Nolan, was pleased the writers took "some dramatic license" with his character, believing the prince had become more real. He explained,

Prince Charming just happens to be a name. He's still a man with the same emotions as any other man. He's a Prince, but he's a Prince of the people. He gets his hands dirty. He's got a kingdom to run. He has a family to protect. He has an epic, epic love for Snow White. He's like everybody else. He's human.

Jennifer Morrison was cast as Emma Swan.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/jennifer-morrison-set-as-the-lead-in-abc-pilot-once-upon-a-time-3-others-cast-112726/ |title=Jennifer Morrison Set as the Lead in ABC Pilot 'Once Upon a Time', 3 Others Cast |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012}} The actress explained her character as someone who "help[s] her son Henry whom she abandoned when he was a baby and who seems like he's a little bit emotionally dysfunctional", but noted that Emma does not start out believing in the fairytale universe. Ten-year-old Jared S. Gilmore, known for his work on Mad Men, took the role of her son, Henry. The role of the Evil Queen / Regina was given to Lana Parrilla.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2011/02/several-actors-board-broadcast-pilots-110058/ |title=Several Actors Board Broadcast Pilots |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 4, 2012 |date=February 28, 2011 |author=Andreeva, Nellie}}

{{quote box|width=25%|align=left|quote="There's always two stories being told when playing Regina. There's the threat of her knowing she's an evil queen and then there's just the pure simple fact that the biological mother has stepped into her world and the threat of losing her son is just enormous. That's a fear that I think any adopted mother would have. I think that's going to really help the audience relate to Regina in some level."|source=—Lana Parrilla}} The role of Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold was given to Robert Carlyle,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s181/once-upon-a-time/news/a307758/robert-carlyle-joins-abc-fairytale-pilot.html |title=Robert Carlyle joins ABC fairytale pilot |website=Digital Spy |access-date=January 3, 2012 |date=March 8, 2011 |author=Wightman, Catriona}} after having been written with him in mind, though the writers initially thought he would not accept the part. Horowitz recalled Carlyle's prison sequence, which was the actor's first day on the set as "mind-blowing ... You could see Ginny actually jump, the first time he did that character. It was fantastic!" Jamie Dornan portrayed the Huntsman / Sheriff Graham as a series regular until the character was killed off in the seventh episode (although he later appeared in the season finale as a guest star),{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/once-upon-a-time-the-heart-is-a-lonely-hunter-1798170843|title=Review: Once Upon A Time: "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" · TV Club · The A.V. Club|work=avclub.com|date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2015}} while Eion Bailey was cast as Pinocchio / August Wayne Booth{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/once-upon-a-time-2011/cast/|title=Once Upon a Time|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com|access-date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=June 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616215121/http://www.tv.com/shows/once-upon-a-time-2011/cast/|url-status=dead}} in a recurring role,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-once-upon-a-time-casts-covert-affairs-eion-bailey-248875|title='Covert Affairs' Eion Bailey Plays the Perfect Stranger on 'Once Upon a Time'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 14, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2015}} starting with the ninth episode, "True North", where he was credited as "Stranger". He was promoted to series regular status for the fifteenth episode, "Red-Handed".{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/eion-bailey-1/|title=Eion Bailey|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com|access-date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619112118/http://www.tv.com/people/eion-bailey-1/|url-status=dead}} Raphael Sbarge portrayed Jiminy Cricket / Dr. Archie Hopper.

For the second season, Meghan Ory and Emilie de Ravin were promoted to series regulars as Red Riding Hood / Ruby{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/06/meghan-ory-upped-to-series-regular-on-abcs-once-upon-a-time/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616183414/http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/meghan-ory-upped-to-series-regular-on-abcs-once-upon-a-time/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2012|title=Meghan Ory Upped To Series Regular on ABC's 'Once Upon A Time'|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 14, 2012|access-date=June 14, 2012}} and Belle / Lacey{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2012/06/19/once-upon-a-time-emilie-de-ravin-series-regular-season-2/|title=Exclusive: Once Upon a Time Promotes Emilie de Ravin to Series Regular for Season 2|first=Matt|last=Mitovich|work=TVLine|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=June 19, 2012}} respectively, while Bailey made guest appearances in two episodes{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2012/09/28/once-upon-a-time-eion-bailey-greys-anatomy-revolution-castle-spoilers/|title=Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Once Upon a Time, Grey's, Revolution's Big Switch, Castle and More|first=Matt|last=Webb Mitovich|work=TVLine|date=September 28, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/02/08/once-upon-a-time-scoop-eion-bailey-august-returning/|title='Once Upon a Time' scoop: Look who's returning...|first=Sandra|last=Gonzales|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 8, 2013|access-date=June 8, 2020}} and Sbarge joined the recurring cast.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20120910abc09/|title=SEASON PREMIERE|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=September 11, 2012}} Colin O'Donoghue was cast as Captain Killian "Hook" Jones, initially in a recurring role,{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/08/once-upon-a-time-colin-odonoghue-cast-as-captain-hook.html|title='Once Upon a Time': Colin O'Donoghue cast as Captain Hook|last=Moorhouse|first=Drusilla|date=August 3, 2012|work=Zap2it|access-date=August 3, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905183444/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/08/once-upon-a-time-colin-odonoghue-cast-as-captain-hook.html|archive-date=September 5, 2012|df=mdy-all}} before being promoted to the main cast starting from the fourteenth episode.{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/article/2012/10/03/colin-odonoghue-hook/|title='Once Upon a Time' upgrades Colin O'Donoghue (Capt. Hook) to series regular – EXCLUSIVE|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=October 3, 2012|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 8, 2020}} Additionally, Dornan made a guest appearance in the seventeenth episode.{{Cite web |date=2013-03-18 |title=Once Upon A Time: "Welcome To Storybrooke" |url=https://www.avclub.com/once-upon-a-time-welcome-to-storybrooke-1798176274 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us}}

For the third season, Michael Raymond-James was promoted to series regular status as Neal Cassidy,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s181/once-upon-a-time/news/a481564/once-upon-a-time-star-made-series-regular.html|title='Once Upon a Time' star made series regular|work=Digital Spy|access-date=May 15, 2013|last = Jeffery|first = Morgan|date=May 15, 2013}} while Ory did not return as a regular due to commitments to the CBS series Intelligence.{{cite web |last=Keck |first=William |title=Keck's Exclusives: Once Upon a Time Loses Its Little Red to CBS |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/kecks-exclusives-meghan-ory-once-upon-a-time-intelligence-1065627/ |access-date=June 8, 2020 |work=TV Guide}} Ory continued to make recurring appearances throughout the season.

For the fourth season, Michael Socha was brought onto the series as Will Scarlet / Knave of Hearts from the spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/04/01/michael-socha-once-upon-a-time/|title=Michael Socha to become Series regular|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentoutlook.com/2014/04/20/upon-time-wondercon-2014-season-3-spoilers-videos-pics/|title=Once Upon a Time – WonderCon 2014 Season 3 Spoilers, Videos & Pics | Entertainment Outlook|publisher=entertainmentoutlook.com|access-date=June 28, 2014}} while Raymond-James exited the regular cast after his character was killed off in the previous season.{{cite web|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|title=Lightning Round 12: Once Upon a Time Bosses Answer Your Burning Questions|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Once-Upon-Time-Lightning-Round12-Kitsis-Horowitz-1080030.aspx|work=TV Guide|access-date=April 3, 2014|date=April 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517161446/http://www.tvguide.com/news/once-upon-time-lightning-round12-kitsis-horowitz-1080030.aspx|archive-date=May 17, 2014}} Bailey returned in a recurring arc towards the end of the season after being absent since the second season.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/12/18/eion-bailey-once-upon-time-season4/|title=Eion Bailey returning to 'Once Upon a Time'|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=December 18, 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 3, 2019}}

For the fifth season, Rebecca Mader and Sean Maguire were promoted to series regular status as Zelena / Wicked Witch of the West and Robin Hood respectively,{{cite news|url=http://tvline.com/2015/06/09/once-upon-a-time-season-5-maguire-mader-series-regulars/|title=Once Upon a Time Ups Sean Maguire, Rebecca Mader to Series Regulars|date=June 9, 2015|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|work=TVLine|access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226042046/https://tvline.com/2015/06/09/once-upon-a-time-season-5-maguire-mader-series-regulars/|url-status=dead}} while Socha exited the main cast.{{cite news|url=http://tvline.com/2015/06/11/the-flash-season-2-spoilers-cynical-new-hero/|date=June 11, 2015|last=Webb Mitovich|first=Matt|work=TVLine|access-date=June 11, 2015|title=Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on The Flash, Teen Wolf, Once, Wayward Pines, iZombie, Major Crimes and More}} Ory also returned in a recurring capacity after being absent since the third season.{{cite news | url=http://tvline.com/2015/09/08/once-upon-a-time-season-5-ruby-returns-meghan-ory/ | title=Once Upon a Time: Meghan Ory to Return as Ruby in Season 5 | work=TVLine | date=September 8, 2015 | access-date=September 8, 2015 | author=Mitovich, Matt Webb | archive-date=June 21, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621174028/https://tvline.com/2015/09/08/once-upon-a-time-season-5-ruby-returns-meghan-ory/ | url-status=dead }} Additionally, Raymond-James made a guest appearance in the twelfth episode.{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=2016-02-22 |title=Once Upon a Time Season 5B Brings Back Michael Raymond-James as Neal |url=https://tvline.com/2016/02/22/once-upon-a-time-michael-raymond-james-returns-neal-season-5/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}

For the sixth season, Maguire exited the main cast after his character was killed off in the previous season but remained in a recurring capacity as an alternate version of the character.{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=2016-09-27 |title='Once Upon a Time': Sean Maguire Returning as Robin Hood — Exclusive |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/09/27/once-upon-time-sean-maguire-returning-season-6/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} Sbarge and Bailey also returned in recurring capacities, both having been absent since the fourth season.{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=2016-07-06 |title=Once Upon a Time's Archie Hopper to Return — But Who Is His Patient? |url=https://tvline.com/2016/07/05/once-upon-a-time-season-6-archie-returns-raphael-sbarge/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE! 'Once Upon a Time' Scoop: Eion Bailey Will Return as Pinocchio to 'Save the Day' {{!}} Entertainment Tonight |url=https://www.etonline.com/tv/200263_exclusive_once_upon_a_time_eion_bailey_will_return_pinocchio_august_season_6 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=www.etonline.com |date=October 12, 2016 |language=en-US}}

The seventh and final season marked a major cast overhaul for the series, with original cast members Goodwin, Morrison, Dallas and Gilmore as well as long-time cast members De Ravin and Mader all exiting as regulars.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/05/08/jennifer-morrison-leaving-once-upon-a-time-season-6/|title=Once Upon a Time: Jennifer Morrison Not Returning for Possible Season 7|last1=Webb Mitovich|first1=Matt|date=May 8, 2017|work=tvline.com|access-date=May 8, 2017}}{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=May 11, 2017 |title=Once Upon a Time: Rebecca Mader exiting after season 6 |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/05/12/once-upon-time-rebecca-mader-exit/ |access-date=May 11, 2017 |publisher=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Once Upon a Time: Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin and Jared Gilmore exit |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/05/12/once-upon-time-ginnifer-goodwin-josh-dallas-emilie-de-ravin-jared-gilmore-exit/ |access-date=May 12, 2017 |publisher=Entertainment Weekly}} Gilmore and Mader joined the recurring cast for the season, while Goodwin, Morrison, Dallas and De Ravin all made guest appearances, particularly in the finale.{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=2018-03-21 |title='Once Upon a Time': All the Stars — Including Jennifer Morrison and Ginnifer Goodwin — Returning for the Series Finale |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/once-a-time-are-stars-returning-series-finale-far-1094954/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Along with departures, Andrew J. West and Alison Fernandez joined the main cast for the season as an older Henry and his daughter Lucy, respectively, after guest starring in the previous season's finale.{{cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Once Upon a Time Season 7: Get Fresh Details on Henry's 'Epic Quest' — Plus, New Identities for Regina & Co.?! |url=http://tvline.com/2017/05/16/once-upon-a-time-season-7-spoilers-adult-henry-hook-regina-rumple/ |access-date=July 6, 2017 |publisher=TVLine}} Dania Ramirez and Gabrielle Anwar joined the main cast as new iterations of Cinderella and Lady Tremaine, respectively;{{cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=July 6, 2017 |title=Once Upon a Time Season 7 Reset: Gabrielle Anwar, Devious Maids Alum, Reign Star Among 5 New Additions |url=http://tvline.com/2017/07/06/once-upon-a-time-season-7-new-cast-gabrielle-anwar-dania-ramirez/ |access-date=July 6, 2017 |publisher=TVLine}} Anwar exited after the eleventh episode, where her character was killed off.{{Cite magazine |last=Kirkland |first=Justin |date=March 2, 2018 |title=Once Upon a Time recap: 'Secret Garden' |url=http://ew.com/recap/once-upon-a-time-recap-season-7-episode-11/ |access-date=March 2, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Mekia Cox, who portrays Tiana, was promoted to the main cast after initially joining as recurring.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/once-upon-a-time-mekia-cox-promoted-series-regular-season-7-1202162708/|title='Once Upon A Time': Mekia Cox Upped To Series Regular For Season 7|last1=Petski|first1=Denise|date=September 6, 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=December 7, 2017}} Additionally, Sbarge and Maguire made guest appearances in the finale.{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=2018-03-16 |title=Once Upon a Time: Sean Maguire, JoAnna Garcia and Robbie Kay Among Farewell Run's 9 Returns |url=https://tvline.com/2018/03/16/once-upon-a-time-final-season-returns-robin-hood-ariel-pan-cruella/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}

Image:Steveston Museum 2016.jpg doubles as the town of Storybrooke, Maine.]]

Principal photography for the series takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/joshdallas/status/320221173969461248|title=Last day on the finale of #onceuponatime season 2!|first=Josh|last=Dallas|work=Twitter|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001075557/https://twitter.com/joshdallas/status/320221173969461248|archive-date=October 1, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite tweet |last=Morrison |first=Jennifer |author-link=Jennifer Morrison |user=jenmorrisonlive |number=320243424689274880 |date=April 5, 2013 |title=Last day of season 2 .... #uglyducklings http://t.co/FpaeSJkedA |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503193748/https://twitter.com/jenmorrisonlive/status/320243424689274880 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |url-status=live}} The village of Steveston in the adjacent city of Richmond doubles as Storybrooke for the series, with props and exterior sets disguising the existing businesses and buildings.{{Cite web|title=Once Upon a Time in Storybrooke {{!}} Steveston in Richmond BC|url=https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/entering-storybrooke/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=Visit Richmond|language=en-us}} During filming, all brightly colored objects (flowers, etc.) are hidden to reinforce the fictional town's spell-subdued character. Certain sets are additionally filmed in separate studios, including the interior of Mr. Gold's pawn shop and the clock tower, which are not found in Steveston.{{cite web|url=http://yvrshoots.com/2012/06/start-dates-for-vancouver-filming-of-fall-tv-supernatural-onceuponatime-fringe-arrow-emilyowens.html|title=Start Dates for Vancouver Filming of Fall TV: #Supernatural #OnceuponaTime #Fringe #Arrow #EmilyOwensMD|work=YVRSHOOTS|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306085624/http://yvrshoots.com/2012/06/start-dates-for-vancouver-filming-of-fall-tv-supernatural-onceuponatime-fringe-arrow-emilyowens.html|url-status=dead}} Downtown Vancouver doubles as other major cities such as New York City, Boston and Seattle.{{Cite web|last=|date=2017-07-06|title=Once Upon a Time Season 7 Starts Filming in Vancouver Area|url=http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2017/07/06/once-upon-a-time-season-7-starts-filming-vancouver/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=What's Filming|language=en-US}}

During the first six seasons, the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke, Maine are the main settings of the series. The Enchanted Forest is a realm within Fairy Tale Land, but the actual spread and scope of the realm are not known. However, they are later united during the Ogre Wars, which played a part in the formation of the War Council that is formed by Prince Charming and served as the catalysts in the backstories involving Rumplestiltskin and the Evil Queen. Several independent kingdoms are implied by an array of different rulers. Most of the stories detailed their earlier lives before ascension to power and being influenced by their mentors through their upbringings. Meanwhile, Storybrooke serves as an isolated town separated from the rest of the Land Without Magic, where the cursed inhabitants are trapped by various forces.

During the seventh season, the New Enchanted Forest and Hyperion Heights, Seattle are the main settings.{{Cite magazine |title='Once Upon a Time' star Rebecca Mader previews Zelena's return |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/12/13/once-upon-a-time-rebecca-mader-zelena-return/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |access-date=2018-05-15}} As a realm in New Fairy Tale Land, the New Enchanted Forest is divided into several independent kingdoms with different rulers. The inhabitants are in conflict with each other, most notably between Lady Tremaine, Cinderella, Drizella, a resistance led by Tiana, and the Coven of the Eight led by Mother Gothel. Most flashbacks involved events that happened before the original curse and before the latest curse that brought everyone to Hyperion Heights, where unlike Storybrooke, its cursed inhabitants are living among ordinary people.

The series, including its Wonderland spin-off, have explored beyond the main settings to numerous realms, each based on fairy tales, literature, and folklore. Known realms are Fairy Tale Land,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/once-upon-time-lands/enchanted-forest|title=Visiting the Magical Lands of "Once Upon a Time"|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 16, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Land Without Magic, Wonderland, the Dreamscape,{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20160906abc24/|title=Listings - TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource|website=www.thefutoncritic.com}} the Land Without Color, the Netherworld,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/once-upon-a-time-season-2-episode-8/|title=Once Upon a Time recap: Into the Deep|last=Busis|first=Hillary|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 30, 2015|access-date=March 15, 2017}} Neverland, Victorian England,{{cite tweet |last=Horowitz |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Horowitz |user=AdamHorowitzLA |number=343409032427622400 |date=June 8, 2013 |title=@ChasingAdvnture FICTIONAL Victorian London. Where chars like Alice live. exists concurrently w/our world so same OUAT timeline remains. |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022150359/https://twitter.com/adamhorowitzla/status/343409032427622400 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |url-status=live}} the Land of Oz, Kansas,{{cite tweet |last=Horowitz |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Horowitz |user=AdamHorowitzLA |number=717013696656990209 |date=April 4, 2016 |title=@WilliamShatner In OUAT, Dorothy exists in a "fictional Kansas" realm, like we've seen w/other stories. Need slippers to get there and back |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031030904/https://twitter.com/adamhorowitzla/status/717013696656990209 |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |url-status=live}} Asgard,{{cite web|url=https://www.hypable.com/once-upon-a-time-season-4-episode-5-recap-temporary-reflections/|title='Once Upon a Time' season 4, episode 5 recap: Pieces of me|date=October 26, 2014}} 1920s England,{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20150413abc23/|title="Sympathy for the De Vil" - TheFutonCritic|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Heroes & Villains alternate reality,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/once-upon-a-time-season-4-finale/|title='Once Upon a Time' recap: 'Operation Mongoose'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} the Underworld,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/once-a-time-season-5-846454|title='Once Upon a Time' Bosses Discuss "Unfinished Business" in Underworld, Potential Rumbelle Baby|last=Whitney|first=Alyse|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Worst Place,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-once-upon-a-time-journey-underworld-20160306-story.html|title='Once Upon a Time' recap: Deceased friends, foes and family are back in the Underworld|first=Jevon|last=Phillips|website=Los Angeles Times|date=March 7, 2016}} Mount Olympus,{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/02/29/once-upon-a-time-season-5b-preview-underworld-emma-hook-hades/|title=Once Upon a Time Underworld Preview: 'Dangerous' and 'Warm' Reunions, Emma Under Pressure and More|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|work=TVLine|date=February 29, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Land of Untold Stories, 19th Century France,{{cite tweet |last=Chambliss |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Chambliss |user=AndrewChambliss |number=782779290370789380 |date=October 3, 2016 |title=I love the Evil Queen's french flourish. I want to see more of her adventures in Fictional 19th Century France |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127040351/https://twitter.com/AndrewChambliss/status/782779290370789380 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |url-status=live}} the World Behind the Mirror,{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/11/13/once-upon-a-time-recap-season-6-episode-8/|title=Once Upon a Time Recap: Pain in the Glass — Plus, Did Rumple Go Too Far?|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|work=TVLine|date=November 13, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Dark Realm,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/12/03/once-upon-time-robin-hood-gideon-spoilers/|title=Once Upon a Time: Hooded figure revealed|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 3, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2017}} the Wish Realm, New Fairy Tale Land, the Edge of Realms,{{cite magazine|title='Once Upon a Time' star Emilie de Ravin on that heartbreaking Belle ending|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/10/27/once-upon-a-time-emilie-de-ravin-belle-dead/}} New Wonderland,{{cite tweet |last=Horowitz |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Horowitz |user=AdamHorowitzLA |number=936675511958302720 |date=December 1, 2017 |title=@I_Love_Lana_Bex Yes |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126060133/https://twitter.com/AdamHorowitzLA/status/936675511958302720 |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |url-status=live}} and the Prison Realm.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/once-upon-a-time-series-finale/|title=Once Upon a Time recap: 'Leaving Storybrooke'|last=Kirkland|first=Justin|date=May 18, 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 18, 2018}} In the series finale, all the realms are merged via a variation of the Dark Curse, being known as the United Realms.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2018/05/18/once-upon-a-time-recap-series-finale-regina-good-queen-realms-merge/|title=Once Upon a Time's Lana Parrilla, Co-Stars React to Regina's Fate in Series Finale: 'It Is What She Deserves'|first=Matt Webb|last=Mitovich|date=May 19, 2018}}

As a nod to the ties between the production teams of Once Upon a Time and Lost, the former show contains allusions to Lost. For example, many items found in Lost, such as Apollo candy bars, Oceanic Airlines, Ajira Airways, the TV series Exposé, and the MacCutcheon whiskey, can be seen in Once Upon a Time.{{cite interview |subject=Carlyle, Robert; Dallas, Josh; Goodwin, Ginnifer; Horowitz, Adam; Kitsis, Edward; Morrison, Jennifer; Parrilla, Lana; Pearlman, Steve; Sbarge, Raphael |interviewer=Matt Mitovich |title=Paleyfest 2012: A Conversation with the Cast and Creators of Once Upon a Time |type=Panel |url=http://www.hulu.com/watch/338438/once-upon-a-time-a-conversation-with-the-stars-and-creators-of-once-upon-a-time |location=Beverly Hills |date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313053033/http://www.hulu.com/watch/338438/once-upon-a-time-a-conversation-with-the-stars-and-creators-of-once-upon-a-time |archive-date=March 13, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Mark Isham composed the series' theme and music; he was joined by Cindy O'Connor and Michael D. Simon for the seventh season. An extended play featuring four cues from the score was released on February 15, 2011, by ABC Studios.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/once-upon-time-music-from/id501831607 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803080824/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/once-upon-time-music-from/id501831607 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |title=Once Upon a Time (Music from the TV Series) – EP |work=iTunes |access-date=May 9, 2012}} A full-length 25-track official soundtrack album was released on May 1, 2012, by Intrada Records to accompany season one.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Time-Television-Soundtrack/dp/B007TX9ASY/ref=pd_cp_mov_0 |title=Once Upon A Time: Original Television Soundtrack [Soundtrack] |work=Amazon.com/|access-date=May 9, 2012}} Another full-length 25-track official soundtrack album was released on August 13, 2013, by Intrada to accompany season two.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Time-Season-2/dp/B00ED2PBVE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1376398455&sr=8-3&keywords=once+upon+a+time+season+2+soundtrack|title=Once Upon a Time – Season 2 [Soundtrack]|work=Amazon.com|access-date=August 13, 2013}} Since December 2015, Mark Isham had begun to release music that was previously not released from the third, fourth, and fifth seasons on his SoundCloud account. An extended play featuring nine tracks from the score for the seventh season was released on August 17, 2018, by ABC Studios.{{Citation|title=Once Upon a Time: Season 7 (Original Score) by Mark Isham, Cindy O'Connor & Michael D Simon|date=August 17, 2018|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/once-upon-a-time-season-7-original-score/1422843467|publisher=Apple Music|language=en-US|access-date=2021-06-27}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Season 1 Soundtrack

| title1 = Once Upon a Time Orchestral Suite

| length1 = 4:13

| title2 = Henry's Proposal

| length2 = 1:17

| title3 = The Queen's Curse

| length3 = 2:46

| title4 = Jiminy Cricket

| length4 = 3:11

| title5 = Dealing with Rumplestiltskin

| length5 = 3:26

| title6 = Belle's Story

| length6 = 2:37

| title7 = Dwarves

| length7 = 2:45

| title8 = The Huntsman

| length8 = 4:31

| title9 = Things Are Changing in Storybrooke

| length9 = 1:47

| title10 = Cinderella

| length10 = 1:44

| title11 = Wedding Dance

| length11 = 1:21

| title12 = Advising Ashley

| length12 = 2:26

| title13 = If the Shoe Fits

| length13 = 1:35

| title14 = Unhappy Endings

| length14 = 3:46

| title15 = Emma and Henry

| length15 = 1:43

| title16 = The Siren

| length16 = 5:07

| title17 = The Man with the Wooden Box

| length17 = 1:11

| title18 = Hope Will Return

| length18 = 1:48

| title19 = Rumplestiltskin in Love

| length19 = 2:19

| title20 = The Genie's Wishes

| length20 = 1:58

| title21 = The Road to True Love

| length21 = 2:50

| title22 = The Family Compass

| length22 = 2:00

| title23 = Burn the Witch

| length23 = 2:34

| title24 = What the Queen Loves Most

| length24 = 2:30

| title25 = The Clock Moves

| length25 = 1:12

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Season 2 Soundtrack

| title1 = Sleeping Beauty

| length1 = 2:29

| title2 = True Love

| length2 = 4:45

| title3 = Magic

| length3 = 3:12

| title4 = We Are Both

| length4 = 1:41

| title5 = Meet the Jefferson

| length5 = 2:37

| title6 = Ruby and Granny

| length6 = 1:54

| title7 = A Real Boy

| length7 = 2:26

| title8 = The Hedge Maze

| length8 = 4:13

| title9 = Regina's True Love

| length9 = 2:29

| title10 = Storybrooke Reunions

| length10 = 2:12

| title11 = The Duelists

| length11 = 1:21

| title12 = The Lady Jack

| length12 = 0:45

| title13 = In a Burning Room

| length13 = 4:16

| title14 = Tallahassee

| length14 = 2:21

| title15 = This Boy Will Be Your Undoing

| length15 = 2:46

| title16 = Science!

| length16 = 1:23

| title17 = To Neverland!

| length17 = 1:58

| title18 = Cora's Waltz

| length18 = 2:19

| title19 = Snow White in Black

| length19 = 2:45

| title20 = How Magic Is Made

| length20 = 3:33

| title21 = One Perfect Day After Another

| length21 = 2:37

| title22 = Bae and the Shadow

| length22 = 2:45

| title23 = Tamara Shows Her True Colors

| length23 = 4:20

| title24 = The Adventure Begins

| length24 = 2:14

| title25 = Main Title

| length25 = 0:14

}}{{Track listing

| title1 = The Fates of All Heroes

| title2 = Closest Thing to a Friend

| title9 = Leaving Storybrooke

| title8 = The Good Queen

| title7 = The Good Curse

| title6 = Reunited for Eternity

| title5 = Evolution, Wisdom and Love

| title4 = The Boy Who Forgave

| title3 = Rescue and Reunion

| length9 = 3:33

| length1 = 2:52

| length8 = 3:42

| length7 = 2:05

| length6 = 1:28

| length5 = 2:54

| length4 = 3:40

| length3 = 2:22

| length2 = 2:11

| total_length = 25:00

| headline = Season 7 Soundtrack

}}

The series has been licensed to over 190 countries.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/u-k-s-channel-5-buys-once-upon-a-time-1118049281/|title="U.K.'s Channel 5 buys 'Once Upon a Time{{'"}}|work=Variety|access-date=November 19, 2014}} In Australia, Once Upon a Time first aired on Seven Network, starting on May 15, 2012. In Canada it airs on CTV from October 23, 2011. It premiered on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s181/once-upon-a-time/news/a538866/once-upon-a-time-dropped-by-channel-5-after-two-seasons.html|title=Once Upon a Time dropped by Channel 5 after two seasons|website=Digital Spy|date=December 17, 2013|access-date=January 11, 2014}} On December 17, 2013, it was confirmed that Channel 5 would not be picking the series up for the third season airing in the UK. On March 14, 2015, Netflix picked up the show in the United Kingdom and Ireland, subsequently showing all seasons and premiering each new episode on Wednesdays after their initial showing on Sundays on ABC. All seven seasons of the series were released on Disney+ in September 2020,{{cite tweet |author=Disney+ |author-link=Disney+ |user=DisneyPlus |number=1306671663178604545 |date=September 17, 2020 |title=We're ready to welcome you to Storybrooke. All 7 seasons of #OnceUponATime are available starting tomorrow on #DisneyPlus. https://t.co/RqMigNbOTA |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419155607/https://twitter.com/disneyplus/status/1306671663178604545 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |url-status=live}} and on Hulu in September 2023.{{cite web|title='Once Upon A Time' To Also Run On Hulu Amid Streamer's Deepening Ties With Disney+|url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/once-upon-a-time-streaming-hulu-premiere-disney-plus-1235530111/|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=August 28, 2023|access-date=August 28, 2023}}

Critical response to the first season was generally positive. On Metacritic, it was given a score of 66 out of 100 with "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/once-upon-a-time/season-1 |title=Once Upon a Time – Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More |work=Metacritic |access-date=April 14, 2013 |publisher=CBS Interactive}}

Common Sense Media rated the show 4 out of 5 stars, stating, "Parents need to know that although Once Upon a Time is inspired by classic fairy tales such as Snow White, Pinocchio, and revivals of popular stories such as Mulan, Brave, and Frozen, it's not always age-appropriate for younger kids. The content is often violent -- including murder, sword fights, and death threats -- and much of the story is clouded in a sense of peril and shifting loyalties. There's some implied sexual content (including shirtless men, women buttoning up their blouses, and lovers escaping out of windows), some innuendo, and some iffy language ("hell", "ass", "suck"). The upside? It has multi-generational appeal, but parents may want to preview before sharing with tweens".{{Cite web|date=2011-10-20|title=Once Upon a Time - TV Review |url= https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/once-upon-a-time|access-date=2020-11-17|website= commonsensemedia.org|language=en}}

E!'s Kristin dos Santos cited the show as one of the five new shows of the 2011–2012 season to watch.{{cite web |url= http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/five_fall_shows_we_love_once_upon_time/260139#ixzz1WYRkZS5u |title=Five Fall Shows We Love: Once Upon a Time Is Magic. Period. |publisher=E! |first=Kristin |last=dos Santos |date=August 29, 2011}} For Mark Perigard for Boston Herald "Jennifer Morrison is superb." Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe gave the show a "C+" grade commenting:

{{blockquote|From a pair of Lost producers, this is a love-or-hate proposition. The ambition is impressive, as it asks us to imagine Goodwin's Snow White and Parrilla's Evil Queen as moderns. But Morrison is a wooden lead, and the back stories – a random collection of fairy tales -- don't promise to surprise."{{cite news| last= Gilbert |first= Matthew |title=Which new fall series make the grade?|work=The Boston Globe |date= September 4, 2011 |url= http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-04/yourtown/30113340_1_bunnies-concept-rachel-bilson/7 |access-date= September 14, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725111740/http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-04/yourtown/30113340_1_bunnies-concept-rachel-bilson/7|archive-date=July 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}}}

In a review from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, TV critic Gail Pennington hailed it as one of the "Most Promising Shows of The Fall" and, unlike Gilbert, had high marks for Morrison.{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/television/gail-pennington/article_5094a078-95af-576b-b934-1cf3dec5e73f.html |title=A sneak peek at the fall TV season |first=Gail |last=Pennington |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=July 24, 2011}} USA Today{{'}}s Robert Blanco placed the series on its top ten list, declaring that "There's nothing else on the air quite like it."{{cite news |url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2011-09-08/Fall-TV-preview-The-new-seasons-top-10/50329044/1?csp=obinsite |title=Fall TV preview: The new season's top 10 |work= USA Today |first=Robert |last=Blanco |date=September 8, 2011}} Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times preferred the series to another fairy-tale themed drama, Grimm, citing that the premise takes its time building up the charm and that the producer "has that part nailed". She also gave excellent reviews for Morrison's character: "Her Emma is predictably cynical and prickly – fairy-tale princess, my Aunt Fanny – but she's sharp and lively enough to keep audiences begging for 'just a few more pages' before they go to bed."{{cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2011-oct-22-la-et-grimm-and-once-20111022-story.html |title='Grimm', 'Once Upon a Time' reviews: Fairy tales all grown up |first=Mary |last= McNamara |work=Los Angeles Times. For TV Live, "Morrison does a nice job of mirroring the viewer's disbelief of this fantastical dilemma – and Emma looks like she could become a worthy adversary for Regina." For twitlonger, "Morrison's performance is great, and she finally gets a chance to lead." For Daniel Fienberg, "Jennifer Morrison is very good in the lead" |date=October 22, 2011}}

Several feminist outlets were pleased with the show for its feminist twist on fairy tales. Avital Norman Nathman of Bitch stated that she liked the show for "infusing a feminist sensibility" into the stories.{{cite web |url=http://bitchmagazine.org/post/mom-pop-culture-once-upon-a-remake |title=Mom & Pop Culture: Once Upon A Remake |first= Avital Norman |last= Nathman |date=November 17, 2011 |publisher=Bitch |access-date=February 13, 2012}} Genie Leslie at Feministing commented that Emma was a "badass", that she liked how Emma was "very adamant that women be able to make their own decisions about their lives and their children", and how Emma was a "well-rounded" character who was "feminine, but not 'girly{{'"}}.{{cite web |url=http://community.feministing.com/2012/01/19/once-upon-a-feminist-time/ |title=Once Upon a (Feminist) Time |first=Genie |last=Leslie |date=January 19, 2012 |work=Feministing.com |access-date=February 13, 2012 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602074104/http://community.feministing.com/2012/01/19/once-upon-a-feminist-time/ |url-status=dead }} Natalie Wilson from Ms. praised the show for a strong, "kick-butt" female lead, for including multiple strong women who take turns doing the saving with the men, for subverting the fetishization of true love, and for dealing with the idea of what makes a mother in a more nuanced fashion. Wilson went on to state of the lead: "Her pursuit of a 'happy ending' is not about finding a man or going to a ball all gussied up, but about detective work, about building a relationship with her son Henry, and about seeking the 'truth' as to why time stands still in the corrupt Storybrooke world."{{cite web|url=http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/11/13/what-a-difference-a-strong-snow-white-makes/ |title=What a Difference a Strong Snow White Makes |first=Natalie |last=Wilson |date=November 13, 2011 |publisher=Ms. Magazine blog |access-date=April 26, 2012}}

The first season premiered as the top-rated drama series. The pilot episode was watched by 13 million viewers and received a 4.0 rating/share among 18- to 49-year-olds.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-adjusted-up-final-ratings-for-world-series-game-4-saintscolts/108354/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027162718/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-adjusted-up-final-ratings-for-world-series-game-4-saintscolts/108354/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2011|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time' Adjusted Up + Final Ratings For World Series Game 4 & Saints/Colts|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=October 25, 2011|work=TVbytheNumbers|access-date=October 25, 2011}} It was the season's highest-rated drama debut among the age range and ABC's biggest debut in five years.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/24/abcs-once-upon-a-time-opens-as-the-seasons-1-new-drama/108234/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026175335/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/24/abcs-once-upon-a-time-opens-as-the-seasons-1-new-drama/108234/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2011|title=ABC's 'Once Upon a Time' Opens as the Season's No. 1 New Drama|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=October 24, 2011|work=TVbytheNumbers|access-date=October 25, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-sunday-night-football-beaten-by-modern-family-two-and-a-half-men-in-week-5-among-adults-18-49/108305/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028190731/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-sunday-night-football-beaten-by-modern-family-two-and-a-half-men-in-week-5-among-adults-18-49/108305/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 28, 2011 |title=TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' Beaten By 'Modern Family' & 'Two and a Half Men' In Week No. 5 Among Teens and Adults 18–49 |publisher=TV by the Numbers |date=October 25, 2011}} With DVR viewers, the premiere climbed to 15.5 million viewers and a 5.2 rating/share in adults 18–49.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/07/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-tops-absolute-gains-private-practice-tops-gains-in-week-5/109780/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109222414/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/07/live7-dvr-ratings-modern-family-tops-absolute-gains-private-practice-tops-gains-in-week-5/109780/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2011 |title=Live+7 DVR Ratings: 'Modern Family' Tops Absolute Gains, 'Private Practice' Tops % Gains In Week 5 |work=TV by the Numbers |first=Robert |last=Seidman |date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2013}} The show's next three episodes had consistent ratings every week with over 11 million viewers.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/01/sunday-final-ratings-pan-am-adjusted-down-unscrambled-cbs-shows-sunday-night-football/109135/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103191803/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/01/sunday-final-ratings-pan-am-adjusted-down-unscrambled-cbs-shows-sunday-night-football/109135/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2011|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Cleveland Show' Adjusted Up; 'Pan Am' Adjusted Down + Unscrambled CBS Shows & 'Sunday Night Football'|work=TV by the Numbers |date=November 1, 2011|access-date=November 1, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/tv-ratings-once-upon-a-time-solid-again-sunday-nfl-scores-for-nbc.html |title=TV ratings: 'Once Upon a Time' solid again Sunday, NFL scores for NBC |work=Zap2it |first=Rick |last=Porter |date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215053242/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/tv-ratings-once-upon-a-time-solid-again-sunday-nfl-scores-for-nbc.html |archive-date=December 15, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/tv-ratings-patriots-jets-gives-nbc-a-sunday-win-once-upon-a-time-steady-for-abc.html |title=TV ratings: Patriots-Jets gives NBC a Sunday win, 'Once Upon a Time' steady for ABC |work=Zap2it |first=Rick |last=Porter |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117103438/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/tv-ratings-patriots-jets-gives-nbc-a-sunday-win-once-upon-a-time-steady-for-abc.html |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} The series became the number one non-sports program in the U.S. with viewers and young adults on Sunday nights.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/23/abcs-once-upon-a-time-is-sundays-1-non-sports-show/117302/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124155905/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/23/abcs-once-upon-a-time-is-sundays-1-non-sports-show/117302/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2012 |title=ABC's 'Once Upon a Time' is Sunday's No. 1 Non-Sports Show |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Seidman |first=Robert |date=January 23, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2013}}

{{Television season ratings

| link1 = Once Upon a Time (season 1)

| timeslot1 = Sunday 8:00{{nbsp}}pm

| timeslot_length1 = 6

| episodes1 = 22

| start1 = {{Start date|2011|10|23}}

| end1 = {{End date|2012|5|13}}

| startrating1 = 12.93{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-adjusted-up-final-ratings-for-world-series-game-4-saintscolts/108354|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027162718/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/25/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-adjusted-up-final-ratings-for-world-series-game-4-saintscolts/108354/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2011|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time' Adjusted Up + Final Ratings For World Series Game 4 & Saints/Colts|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=October 24, 2011|access-date=October 24, 2011}}

| endrating1 = 9.66{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/15/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-family-guy-survivor-adjusted-up-survivor-reunion-dateline-adjusted-down/134077/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517010153/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/15/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-family-guy-survivor-adjusted-up-survivor-reunion-dateline-adjusted-down/134077/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2012|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time', Family guy', 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; 'Survivor: Reunion', 'Dateline' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sarah|date=May 15, 2012|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 16, 2012}}

| season1 = 2011–12

| rank1 = 28

| viewers1 = 11.71{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/complete-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-ncis-dancing-with-the-stars/135785/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527223446/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/complete-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-ncis-dancing-with-the-stars/135785/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2012|title=Complete List of 2011–12 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'American Idol', 'NCIS' & 'Dancing With The Stars'|last=Gorman|first=Bill|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 24, 2012|access-date=May 25, 2012}}

| 18_49_rank1 = 18

| 18_49_rating1 = 4.1/10{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/final-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-ratings-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-the-voice-modern-family/135747/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525183657/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/final-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-ratings-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-the-voice-modern-family/135747/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 25, 2012|title=Complete List of 2011–12 Season TV Show Ratings: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'American Idol', 'The Voice' & 'Modern Family'|last=Gorman|first=Bill|work=TV By the Numbers|date=May 24, 2012|access-date=May 24, 2012}}

| link2 = Once Upon a Time (season 2)

| episodes2 = 22

| start2 = {{Start date|2012|9|30}}

| end2 = {{End date|2013|5|12}}

| startrating2 = 11.36{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/02/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-bobs-burgers-adjusted-up-666-park-avenue-60-minutes-adjusted-down-final-football-numbers/150988/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004225412/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/02/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-bobs-burgers-adjusted-up-666-park-avenue-60-minutes-adjusted-down-final-football-numbers/150988/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons', 'Bob's Burgers' Adjusted Up; '666 Park Avenue', '60 Minutes' Adjusted Down & Final Football Numbers |publisher=Zap2it |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=October 2, 2012}}

| endrating2 = 7.33[https://web.archive.org/web/20130607114211/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/14/sunday-final-ratings-survivor-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-revenge-adjusted-up/182603/ "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Survivor', 'Once Upon a Time', 'The Simpsons' & 'Revenge' Adjusted Up"] from TV by the Numbers/Zap2It (May 14, 2013)

| season2 = 2012–13

| rank2 = 35

| viewers2 = 10.24{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list-2-733762/|title=Full 2012–2013 TV Season Series Rankings|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=May 23, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2013}}

| 18_49_rank2 = 18

| 18_49_rating2 = 3.6/9{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-ratings-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-the-big-bang-theory-the-voice-modern-family/184774/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607112816/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-ratings-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-the-big-bang-theory-the-voice-modern-family/184774/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2013|title=Complete List Of 2012-13 Season TV Show Ratings: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'The Voice' & 'Modern Family' – Ratings – TVbytheNumbers|access-date=January 11, 2014}}

| link3 = Once Upon a Time (season 3)

| episodes3 = 22

| start3 = {{Start date|2013|9|29}}

| end3 = {{End date|2014|5|11}}

| startrating3 = 8.52{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/01/sunday-final-ratings-the-simpsons-revenge-adjusted-down/206013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004055158/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/01/sunday-final-ratings-the-simpsons-revenge-adjusted-down/206013/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2013|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'The Simpsons' & 'Bob's Burgers' Adjusted Up; 'Revenge' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}}

| endrating3 = 6.80{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/13/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-american-dad-revenge-cosmos-dateline-adjusted-down/263313/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514032356/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/13/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-american-dad-revenge-cosmos-dateline-adjusted-down/263313/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2014|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon a Time', 'American Dad' & 'America's Funniet Home Videos' Adjusted Up; 'Revenge', 'Cosmos' & 'Dateline' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 13, 2014|access-date=May 13, 2014}}

| season3 = 2013–14

| rank3 = 35

| viewers3 = 9.38{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list-2-733762/|title=Full 2013-2014 TV Season Series Rankings|date=May 22, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=December 3, 2014}}

| 18_49_rank3 = 12

| 18_49_rating3 = 3.3/8{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2014/05/20/top-50-broadcast-tv-shows-of-2013-14|title=Top 50 broadcast TV shows of 2013-14|date=May 20, 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

| link4 = Once Upon a Time (season 4)

| episodes4 = 23

| start4 = {{Start date|2014|9|28}}

| end4 = {{End date|2015|5|10}}

| startrating4 = 9.47{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-gotham-ratings-premiere-week-seven-day-850005/|title=Premiere Week Live+7 Ratings: NBC, CBS Win Network Race, 'Gotham', 'How To Get Away With Murder' Lead DVR Gains|date=October 13, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood}}

| endrating4 = 5.51{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/12/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-rooklyn-nine-nine-adjusted-up/402844/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514165159/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/12/sunday-final-ratings-once-upon-a-time-rooklyn-nine-nine-adjusted-up/402844/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2015|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time' & 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Adjusted Up|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015}}

| season4 = 2014–15

| rank4 = 50

| viewers4 = 8.98{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/2014-15-full-tv-season-ratings-shows-rankings-1201431167/|title=Full 2014-15 TV Season Series Rankings: Football & 'Empire' Ruled|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523083530/http://deadline.com/2015/05/2014-15-full-tv-season-ratings-shows-rankings-1201431167/|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

| 18_49_rank4 = 17

| 18_49_rating4 = 3.2/7

| link5 = Once Upon a Time (season 5)

| episodes5 = 23

| start5 = {{Start date|2015|9|27}}

| end5 = {{End date|2016|5|15}}

| startrating5 = 5.93{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/29/sunday-final-ratings-bobs-burgers-adjusted-down-60-minutes-adjusted-up-sunday-night-football/473898/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930221125/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/09/29/sunday-final-ratings-bobs-burgers-adjusted-down-60-minutes-adjusted-up-sunday-night-football/473898/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2015|title=Sunday Final Ratings: 'Bob's Burgers' Adjusted Down, '60 Minutes' Adjusted Up + 'Sunday Night Football'|last=Dixon|first=Dani|work=TV by the Numbers|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2015}}

| endrating5 = 4.07{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/17/sunday-final-ratings-may-15-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518101750/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/17/sunday-final-ratings-may-15-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2016|title=Sunday final ratings: 'Once Upon a Time' finale, everything else hold|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016}}

| season5 = 2015–16

| rank5 = 69

| viewers5 = 6.32{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/tv-season-2015-2016-series-rankings-shows-full-list-1201763189/|title=Full 2015-16 TV Season Series Rankings: 'Blindspot', 'Life In Pieces' & 'Quantico' Lead Newcomers|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 26, 2016}}

| 18_49_rank5 = 34

| 18_49_rating5 = 2.2

| link6 = Once Upon a Time (season 6)

| episodes6 = 22

| start6 = {{Start date|2016|9|25}}

| end6 = {{End date|2017|5|14}}

| startrating6 = 3.99{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/09/27/sunday-final-ratings-sept-25-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928162621/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/09/27/sunday-final-ratings-sept-25-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2016|title=Sunday final ratings: 'Once Upon a Time' and 'NCIS: LA' adjust up, FOX shows adjust down|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=September 27, 2016|access-date=September 27, 2016}}

| endrating6 = 2.95{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-final-ratings-may-14-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517014431/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-final-ratings-may-14-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2017|title='NCIS: Los Angeles' finale adjusts up: Sunday final ratings|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 16, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017}}

| season6 = 2016–17

| rank6 = 105

| viewers6 = 4.39{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/2016-2017-tv-season-ratings-series-rankings-list-1202102340/|title=Final 2016-17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues|website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2017}}

| 18_49_rank6 = 70

| 18_49_rating6 = 1.5/5{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/2016-2017-tv-season-ratings-series-rankings-list-1202102340/|title=Final 2016-17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2017}}

| link7 = Once Upon a Time (season 7)

| timeslot7 = Friday 8:00{{nbsp}}pm

| episodes7 = 22

| start7 = {{Start date|2017|10|6}}

| end7 = {{End date|2018|5|18}}

| startrating7 = 3.26{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/friday-final-ratings-oct-6-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009235218/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/friday-final-ratings-oct-6-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2017|title='Hawaii Five-0' and 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust up, 'Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=October 9, 2017}}

| endrating7 = 2.27{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/friday-final-ratings-may-18-2018/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111911/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/friday-final-ratings-may-18-2018/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 22, 2018|title='Blindspot,' '20/20,' 'Life Sentence,' 'Harry & Meghan' special all adjust down: Friday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=May 21, 2018}}

| season7 = 2017–18

| rank7 = 120

| viewers7 = 3.41{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Rick |title=Final Live +7 viewer averages for 2017-18: 'Roseanne,' 'Big Bang Theory' surpass 'SNF' |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2017-18-roseanne-big-bang-theory-surpass-snf/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142325/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2017-18-roseanne-big-bang-theory-surpass-snf/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |website=TV by the Numbers |access-date=June 13, 2018 |date=June 11, 2018}}

| 18_49_rank7 = 115

| 18_49_rating7 = 0.9{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Rick |title=Final Live +7 18-49 ratings for 2017-18: 'This is Us' gets the biggest bump |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-adults-18-49-ratings-for-2017-18-this-is-us-gets-the-biggest-bump/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612160523/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-adults-18-49-ratings-for-2017-18-this-is-us-gets-the-biggest-bump/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |website=TV by the Numbers |access-date=June 13, 2018 |date=June 11, 2018}}

}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Once Upon a Time|l1 = List of awards and nominations received by Once Upon a Time}}

Once Upon a Time was nominated for a 2012 People's Choice Award for "Favorite New TV Drama", but lost to Person of Interest.{{cite web |url=http://www.ology.com/tv/peoples-choice-award-tv-nominations |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910123100/http://www.ology.com/tv/peoples-choice-award-tv-nominations |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |title=The People's Choice Award TV Nominations |work=Ology.com |access-date=November 8, 2011 }} The show was nominated at the 39th People's Choice Awards in four categories: Favorite Network TV Drama, Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show, Favorite TV Fan Following, and Favorite TV Drama Actress (Ginnifer Goodwin); it lost to another ABC show Grey's Anatomy in the first category, Supernatural in the second two, and Ellen Pompeo (from Grey's Anatomy) in the last category. The show was nominated at 40th People's Choice Awards but lost to Beauty & the Beast and The Vampire Diaries, respectively.

The show was also nominated for "Best Genre Series" at the 2011 Satellite Awards but lost to American Horror Story.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |title=2011 Winners |work=International Press Academy |access-date=April 14, 2013}} The show was nominated in this category again at the 2012 Satellite Awards but lost to The Walking Dead.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/current-nominees/ |title=2012 Winners |work=International Press Academy |access-date=April 14, 2013}}

The program also received two nominations at the 2012 Visual Effects Society Awards but lost to Boardwalk Empire and Gears of War 3, respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/01/09/ves-awards-nominees/ |title= 'Harry Potter,' 'Transformers,' 'Hugo' score VES Awards noms|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Lanford|last=Beard |date=January 9, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2013}}

At the 38th Saturn Awards, the series received a nomination for Best Network Television Series and Parrilla was nominated for Best Supporting Actress on Television but lost to Fringe and Michelle Forbes, respectively.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/148931/ |title=Saturn Award Nominations Announced; Hugo and Harry Potter Lead with 10 Nominations Each |work=collider.com |first=Matt |last=Goldberg |date=February 29, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2013 |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115210541/http://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/148931/ |url-status=dead }}

The program was nominated for the former award again at the 39th Saturn Awards but lost to new series Revolution.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/02/20/the-hobbit-saturn-awards-movie-tv-nominations/1933067/|title='The Hobbit' leads Saturn Awards with nine nominations | work=USA Today | first1=Brian|last1=Truitt|date=February 20, 2013}}

Jared S. Gilmore was nominated for Best Performance by a Younger Actor on Television at 40th Saturn Awards, but lost to Chandler Riggs for The Walking Dead

The show received trophies for "Favorite New TV Drama" and "Favorite Villain" for Lana Parrilla by the TV Guide.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/TV-Guide-Magazine-1045829.aspx |title=TV Guide Magazine Fan Favorites Awards Winners Revealed! |work=TV Guide |access-date=May 1, 2012}}

The show was nominated at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards but lost to The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars and Awkward and the show was also nominated at 2013 Teen Choice Awards but lost to The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars.

The show was nominated again at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards but lost to The Vampire Diaries and Dylan O'Brien, respectively.

It was also nominated at the 64th Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards but lost to Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead and the show was nominated again at 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards but lost to The Borgias and Game of Thrones.

The show won three Choice Awards at the Teen Choice Awards 2016.

In 2013, Disney-owned Hyperion Books published Reawakened by Odette Beane, a novelization of storylines from the first season, expanded to include new perspectives. The narrative is from the points-of-view of Emma Swan in Storybrooke and Snow White in the Enchanted Forest. The novel was published on April 28, 2013, as an ebook and May 7, 2013, in paperback form.{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/article/2013/03/18/once-upon-a-time-book/ |title='Once Upon a Time' launching a novel – EXCLUSIVE|last=James|date=March 18, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 3, 2019}}

In 2015, production company Kingswell Teen published Red's Untold Tale, by Wendy Toliver, a novel telling a story of Red's past that was not seen in the show. The novel was published on September 22, 2015, and consisted of 416 pages.{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/news/storybook/once-upon-a-time-new-book-reds-untold-tale-preorder-08282015|title=Read an Excerpt from "Once Upon a Time: Red's Untold Tale"|first=Patty|last=Gopez|date=August 30, 2015|access-date=May 9, 2018|work=ABC}}

In 2017, Kingswell Teen published a second novel, Regina Rising, also written by Wendy Toliver, which depicts the life of a sixteen-year-old Regina. The novel was published on April 25, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://books.disney.com/book/once-upon-a-time-regina-rising/|title=Once Upon a Time: Regina Rising|access-date=May 9, 2018|work=Disney Books|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510051617/http://books.disney.com/book/once-upon-a-time-regina-rising/|url-status=dead}}

In 2018, Kingswell Teen published a third novel, Henry and Violet, written by Michelle Zink, which follows Henry and Violet on an adventure to New York City. The novel was published on May 8, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://books.disney.com/book/henry-and-violet/|title=Henry and Violet|access-date=May 9, 2018|work=Disney Books|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510051635/http://books.disney.com/book/henry-and-violet/|url-status=dead}}

A comic book, titled Once Upon a Time: Shadow of the Queen, was released on September 4, 2013, in both digital and hardcover forms. The story was written by Dan Thomsen and Corinna Bechko, with art by Nimit Malavia, Vasilis Lolos, Mike del Mundo, Stephanie Hans and Mike Henderson. Shadow of the Queen details what happens after the Evil Queen takes the Huntsman's heart. She forces the Huntsman to commit evil and try to capture Snow White yet again. The Huntsman faces his past, and also meets Red Riding Hood, who is trying to cope with her beastly alter ego. Together, they team up and try to save Snow White before all is too late.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ksitetv.com/once-upon-a-time/marvel-plans-a-once-upon-a-time-original-graphic-novel/21106|title=Marvel Plans A Once Upon A Time Original Graphic Novel|last=Byrne|first=Craig|date=March 28, 2013 |work=KSiteTV |access-date=March 29, 2013}}

On April 14, 2014, a sequel to the first comic book called Once Upon a Time: Out of the Past was released, which details previously unseen flashback stories of Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, Rumplestiltskin, Belle and the Mad Hatter from before the original curse.{{cite book|title=Once Upon a Time: Out of the Past: Kalinda Vazquez, Corinna Bechko, Pascal Campion, Betsy Peterschmidt, Vanesa Del Rey, Janet Lee: 9780785191162: Amazon.com: Books|isbn = 978-0785191162|date = April 1, 2015| publisher=Marvel }}

{{main|Once Upon a Time in Wonderland}}

In February 2013, Kitsis and Horowitz, along with producers Zack Estrin and Jane Espenson, began developing a spin-off series focusing on Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, titled Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.Andreeva, Nellie. [https://deadline.com/2013/03/eddy-kitsis-adam-horowitzs-once-upon-a-time-spinoff-set-in-wonderland-takes-shape-zack-estrin-jane-espenson-join-457456/ "Eddy Kitsis & Adam Horowitz's 'Once Upon A Time' Spin-off Set In Wonderland Takes Shape, Zack Estrin & Jane Espenson Join."] Deadline Hollywood (March 19, 2013) A "teaser presentation" began filming in April 2013, and the pilot was shot in late July or August.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/once-a-time-spin-off-wonderland-alice-431653 |title='Once Upon a Time' Spin-off 'Wonderland' Casts Its Alice |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=March 28, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Thehollywoodreporter.com |access-date=March 29, 2013 }} On May 10, 2013, ABC announced that it had greenlit the spin-off, and announced on May 14, 2013 that it would air in the Thursday night 8:00pm time slot instead of filling in for the parent series.{{Cite web|url = http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/14/abc-2013-14-primetime-schedule-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-on-tuesday-revenge-sticks-with-sunday-once-upon-a-time-spinoff-on-thursday/182567/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130607112549/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/14/abc-2013-14-primetime-schedule-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-on-tuesday-revenge-sticks-with-sunday-once-upon-a-time-spinoff-on-thursday/182567/|url-status = dead|archive-date = June 7, 2013|title = ABC 2013–14 Primetime Schedule: 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' on Tuesday, 'Revenge' Sticks With Sunday, 'Once Upon a Time' Spinoff on Thursday, 'DWTS' Downsized & More|publisher = TV by the Numbers|first = Amanda|last = Kondolojy|date = May 14, 2013}} The series premiered on October 10, 2013 and ended on April 3, 2014, after a single-season 13-episode run.{{cite magazine |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=2014-03-28 |title=It's Official: ABC's 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' Canceled |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/once-a-time-wonderland-canceled-691915 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|title='Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' Canceled by ABC After One Season|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/28/once-upon-a-time-in-wonderland-canceled-by-abc-after-one-season/248876/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328230341/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/28/once-upon-a-time-in-wonderland-canceled-by-abc-after-one-season/248876/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2014|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=March 28, 2014|access-date=March 28, 2014}}

In June 2023, Carlyle retrospectively admitted in an interview with The A.V. Club that he felt that the series "ran for too long" and felt that the first four seasons were "as good as anything {{om|I have|sub=he had|br=y}} been involved in."{{cite web |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Robert Carlyle on The Full Monty then and now, and Once Upon A Time |url=https://www.avclub.com/robert-carlyle-on-the-full-monty-then-and-now-and-once-1850512662 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=A.V. Club}} In February 2024, O'Donoghue spoke with Collider about the possibility of a revival, stating that he had "spoken to {{om|them|sub=Kitsis and Horowitz|br=y}} and a few other people about it".{{Cite web |last=Lovitt |first=Maggie |date=2024-02-24 |title=From 'Once Upon a Time' to the Metaverse — Colin O'Donoghue Is Headed to New Realms |url=https://collider.com/colin-odonoghue-once-upon-a-time/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Collider |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shayo |first=Lukas |date=2024-02-24 |title=Once Upon A Time Revival Chances Addressed By Captain Hook Actor, 6 Years After Show Ended |url=https://screenrant.com/once-upon-a-time-revival-chance-update-colin-odonoghue-response/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

{{Noteslist}}

• Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Something Wicked This Way Comes (film)
• Something Wicked This Way Comes (novel) by Ray Bradbury
• The 10th Kingdom
• Into the Woods
• Into the Woods (film)
• Literature

{{Reflist}}

{{wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time}}
• {{IMDb title|1843230|Once Upon a Time}}
• {{DisneyAtoZ|title=Once Upon a Time}}
• [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-time/id561291113 Creators' podcast] on iTunes

{{Once Upon a Time (TV series)}}

{{Once Upon a Time episodes}}

{{Authority control}}

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