When the ABC fantasy drama debuted in October 2011, it captured millions of viewers by stranding classic fairy tale characters in a fictional Maine town called Storybrooke. Seven seasons and multiple curses later, the series wrapped up in May 2018, leaving fans wondering what happened to the actors behind their favorite magical figures.
If you're tracking the Once Upon A Time cast then and now, the answer spans a mix of high-profile television revivals, major directing careers, voice acting gigs, and entirely new lifestyle ventures. While some actors continued dominating network television, others stepped behind the camera or shifted into unexpected creative spaces.
Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan
Jennifer Morrison anchored the series as Emma Swan, the Savior whose arrival in Storybrooke triggered the breaking of the first dark curse. Before joining the show, Morrison was already well-known for House and How I Met Your Mother.
After leaving her full-time role ahead of the final season—though she returned for guest appearances—Morrison pivoted heavily toward directing. She has directed episodes for major television series including Euphoria, Dr. Death, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. On the acting front, she starred in This Is Us and The Night Agent. In her personal life, she married actor Gerardo Celasco.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas as Snow White and Prince Charming
Perhaps the most famous real-life romance to emerge from the series involves Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White / Mary Margaret) and Josh Dallas (Prince Charming / David Nolan). The pair met on set, married in 2014, and share two sons.
- Ginnifer Goodwin: Following the show's conclusion, Goodwin starred in the dark comedy series Pivoting and voiced Judy Hopps in Disney's Zootopia+ and its sequel.
- Josh Dallas: Dallas transitioned straight into leading network television, starring as Ben Stone in the sci-fi mystery series Manifest across its four-season run, while also making his directorial debut.
Lana Parrilla as Regina Mills and the Evil Queen
Lana Parrilla delivered one of television's most memorable villain-to-hero arcs as Regina Mills, blending sharp wit with deep emotional vulnerability.
Parrilla didn't slow down after Storybrooke closed its doors. She starred in the second season of CBS's anthology dark comedy Why Women Kill and later joined the cast of Netflix's hit legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer. Beyond acting, she launched a clothing line named Keep It Regal inspired by her iconic character and made her feature film producing debut with the documentary Split at the Root.
Colin O'Donoghue as Captain Hook
Introduced in the second season, Colin O'Donoghue's brooding, charismatic portrayal of Killian Jones (Captain Hook) quickly turned him into a fan favorite.
O'Donoghue has kept busy with a mix of live-action streaming projects and high-profile voice acting. He appeared in the historical drama miniseries The Right Stuff and lent his voice to animated projects including Guillermo del Toro's Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, Netflix's Wizards, and the animated feature Luck.
Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin and Mr. Gold
As the immortal, morally complex Dark One, Robert Carlyle brought intense theatrical weight to the series.
The veteran Scottish actor has continued working across British and international screens. He starred as Prime Minister Robert Sutherland in the political thriller series Cobra and appeared in the television adaptation of The War of the Worlds as well as the streaming revival of The Full Monty.
Jared Gilmore as Henry Mills
Jared Gilmore grew up on screen, playing the pivotal role of young Henry Mills from age 11 through the show's earlier seasons.
Unlike many of his co-stars who remained fixtures of traditional television, Gilmore stepped away from mainstream acting after the series wrapped. Aside from minor voice acting work, he transitioned into a digital career, building a dedicated community as a video game live streamer on Twitch under the handle Nightingale_Styx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas get married in real life?
Yes, they met on the pilot episode in 2011, began dating, and married in April 2014. They have two children together.
Why did Jennifer Morrison leave the show?
Morrison chose not to renew her contract as a series regular after season 6 to pursue other creative opportunities, spend time with family, and focus on directing work, though she returned for guest appearances in season 7.
How many seasons did the show run?
The series ran for seven seasons spanning 156 episodes, airing from October 2011 until May 2018 on ABC.
Is there any chance of a reboot or reunion?
While fans frequently speculate about a revival, no official network reboot has been announced. However, major cast members regularly reunite at fan conventions and express fondness for their time in Storybrooke.
