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2025 sees two Disney live-action remakes hit theaters, Snow White and Lilo & Stitch. It also means it has been 15 years since Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland kicked off this trend that has dominated the box office despite audiences and critics deriving it. For a decade now, audiences have seen films from Disney's classic era(Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio) and Renaissance get the live-action treatment to mixed results. However, right at the cusp of this Disney remake era, an ABC series put its own unique spin on many of Disney's classic canon and did it better than most of the live-action films that had triple the budget. We are, of course, talking about Once Upon a Time.

Once Upon a Time debuted on ABC in October 2011, a little over a year after Alice in Wonderland, and concluded in May 2018, between the $1 billion releases of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Since then,...

If you ask anyone what my favorite show is, to this day, it's still Once Upon a Time. The premise of the series, especially those first three seasons, was so unique and wonderful. It was a world that allowed you to escape into the fairytale stories where many were changed in inventive ways that surprised us all.

The show went on for seven seasons, from 2011 to 2018 on ABC, though I'd say that for most fans no matter who your favorite character was or what relationship you shipped the hardest, Ouat season 7 was completely unnecessary and honestly erased from most of our minds. I at least ignore the fact that it was a thing.

It's been a few years now since the series finale aired, and that makes us fans nostalgic for the show. That does mean that the actors are already being asked about whether they'd like to see and...

ABC's storybook series Once Upon a Time received its happily ever after nearly seven years ago with the assurance that all the adventures didn't have to end even as the cameras stopped rolling. Jennifer Morrison, however, is taking that call a bit more seriously. Though the residents of Storybrooke have since moved on to other things, including Morrison herself, who is now directing episodes of another hit show in Yellowjackets, the actress behind Emma Swan believes there's room for a fairytale reboot in the world. In an exclusive conversation with The New York Post, she shared her idea for how the show could return to screens, albeit with one big caveat — that it includes an entirely new cast.

The Twisted Childhood Universe recently made a horror version of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare — but Once Upon a Time already accomplished this several years ago. Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare premiered on January 13, receiving a short theatrical run. The movie takes place in the Twisted Childhood Universe, where Winnie the Pooh's horror movie, Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey, also takes place. Similar to Blood & Honey, Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare is a twisted, devious version of a classic children's tale.

Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare has surprisingly done much better than its predecessor — so much so that the theatrical release of Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare was extended because the movie scored 70% among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare has been much better received than Winnie the Pooh's horror films, the movie feels redundant because a horror version of Barrie's Peter Pan already exists.

Once Upon a Time was a show about the incredibly brilliant idea of a small town being the dreary setting and crossroads to some of the world's most wonderful stories, like Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was an ambitious attempt by ABC to expand the universe of its hit fantasy series to the more zanier stories of Alice in Wonderland. Launched in 2013, the spinoff explored the whimsical yet treacherous world of Wonderland through the eyes of Alice, a young woman who defies societal norms in her quest for love and adventure. With a talented cast, including Sophie Lowe as Alice, and visual effects designed to bring Lewis Carroll's fantastical realm to life, the series promised a compelling story that would appeal to fans of the original show.

However, despite its potential, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was canceled after just one season.

Once Upon a Time adapted many Disney fairy tales, from princesses to villains and everything in between, always with a fun twist on the characters fans thought they knew. After three seasons of drawing from classics, Once Upon a Time turned to Disney's most recent hit movie and brought Frozen's Elsa and Anna into the show. Elsa initially seems to be the antagonist to the Once Upon a Time's Charming family, but the show involves another character, their Aunt Ingrid (Elizabeth Mitchell), who also has ice-based powers, to be the real villain of season 4A.

By season 4, Once Upon a Time had adapted many Disney princesses, yet the show's live-action Elsa (Georgina Haig) and Anna (Elizabeth Lail) are exactly like their movie origins. However, while Frozen was a phenomenon as a film, translating it into Once Upon a Time was not as successful. Elsa and Anna's inclusion felt awkward to fans of the show,...

The best Mckenna Grace movies and TV shows feature the young star playing both young versions of popular characters in TV shows and her eventual rise as a star in her own right on TV and in movies. Grace got her start acting in 2012 when she was only six. She had early appearances in Crash & Bernstein and The Goodwin Games before she got her biggest break as Faith Newman in the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless.

She then got some big movie roles as a child star in Gifted, I, Tonya, and The Bad Seed. She also had a lot of experience playing younger versions of characters in flashbacks, playing the young Emma Swan in Once Upon a Time, young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, and young Madison Lake in Malignant. However, Grace finally enjoyed her breakout in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and on TV in The Handmaid’s Tale.

For all the blood, sweat, and manpower that ABC poured into finding a successor to "Lost" (a show that shaped the course of television in the early 21st century), I'd bet dollars to donuts the network never wagered it would take the shape of "Once Upon a Time."

Conceived by "Lost" alumni and "Tron: Legacy" writers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, "Once Upon a Time" casts "House, M.D." veteran Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, a seemingly unremarkable bail bond agent who, just like any hero's journey protagonist worth their salt, discovers there's far more to her world (and destiny) than she ever realized. The show itself combines jigsaw puzzle-style storytelling with well-known fairy tale characters -- especially the Disneyfied versions, which was possible thanks to ABC being owned by the Mouse House -- to create a dense lore and elaborate mythos that rivals anything J.J. Abrams or Damon Lindelof could ever hope to dream of.

Once Upon a Time puts many unique spins on classic fairy tale characters. Once Upon a Time's concept is creative: the Evil Queen casts a Dark Curse that sends fairy tale characters to Storybrooke, Maine. Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter, Emma Swan, is destined to break this curse when she is 28. Emma arrives in Storybrooke because Henry, her son, finds her. However, the Evil Queen — Regina Mills in Storybrooke — adopted Henry when Emma gave him up at birth. This immediately establishes a complex family tree in Once Upon a Time, containing many surprises, twists, and turns.

And the Evil Queen is not the only character with a new identity in the real world. Marco and Archie Hopper exist: two characters formerly known as Geppetto and Jiminy Cricket from The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. Another example includes Ashley Boyd, known as the titular character from Charles Perrault's Cendrillon (Cinderella). In fact,...

ABC's Once Upon a Time is a fantasy TV show that follows Emma Swan, a young woman living a regular life before her son, Henry, who she gave up for adoption, comes looking for her over a decade later. Henry brings Emma back to his hometown of Storybrooke, and before she knows it, she is sucked into a world where fairy tales are closer to reality than fiction, including Tom Ellis' take on Robin Hood.

Once Upon a Time is filled with tragic stories, and while some get their happy ending once again, for others, it ends in death or losing their loved ones. The great thing about this series is that these characters brought to the small screen aren't what fans are used to seeing. Some changes excite viewers while others leave them scratching their heads, like Ellis' departure as Robin Hood, but it's an exciting and surprising watch overall.

Over its seven-year run, Once Upon a Time gave audiences some of the best love stories about romance and family; however, the show didn't shy away from hard-hitting, upsetting storylines either. Once Upon a Time wasn't afraid to kill off some of the show's main characters, leading to heartbreaking moments of loss and grief for those within the show. Once Upon a Time entwined a fictional story of magic and fairy tales with characters experiencing the same feelings as real people, the good and the bad.

One thing the show excelled at was creating emotional moments by making the audience feel for the characters. Whether they had just lost a member of the notoriously convoluted Once Upon a Time family tree, had their declaration of love rejected, or found themselves afflicted by some kind of curse, the showrunners upheld these heart-wrenching moments across all seven seasons. Among the many heartbreaking,...

Agatha All Along is one of the biggest shows of the fall. In terms of hype and excitement, it feels like one of the biggest of Marvel's Disney+ shows since the streaming service launched in 2019.

After fans watched all nine episodes of Agatha All Along, there's going to be a long wait until Agatha All Along season 2 (or whatever iteration that continues this story) hits Disney+. That's the bad news. The good news is two-fold. It sure sounds like Agatha All Along season 2 is going to happen. Disney and Marvel haven't officially confirmed the series will be back, but showrunner Jac Schaeffer sure made it sound like more Agatha is on the way after that incredible season 1 ending and finale, via Marvel.

And, on top of that, we have a lot of good and witchy shows like Agatha All Along while we wait for season 2.

Let's get the list started...

Fairytales converge in the world of Once Upon a Time, a magical series that aired on ABC from 2011 to 2018. Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz's fantasy show follows Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who becomes a guide to the eclectic array of characters and creatures in this patchwork town. We've met queens, princesses, princes, and villains, but in Season 2, a green-clad sharpshooter sneaks into the mix, and you may recognize his motto: steal from the rich, give to the poor. Robin Hood briefly appeared in the second season and was played by Tom Ellis. However, he was re-casted after this first appearance, returning in Season 3 as Sean Maguire.

Despite only appearing in a handful of episodes, it is clear to me that Maid Marian was the most mistreated character in Once Upon a Time. In every episode she appears in, something bad happens to her whether it's being held captive, suffering from an illness, or losing her life. Not only was she mistreated, but Marian also died twice. To top it off, eventually, both her murderers ended up in some kind of romantic relationship with her husband, Robin Hood (Tom Ellis and Sean Maguire).

What's worse than this is that the character never got any kind of justice. Both of her killers got off scot-free and were even rewarded and welcomed by the heroes in the series finale. Even by the end of the show, when Robin Hood was killed, his soul was completely destroyed and obliterated, so she wasn't even reunited with her husband in the afterlife.

Anne with an E was definitely one of the best shows on Netflix. Even though the period drama was canceled in 2019 after three seasons, us fans still think about it and are upset it did not continue and get a proper ending. If you're like me and miss Anne with an E, then you might be looking for something to fill that void. Well, we've got some recs for you!

The Artful Dodger

Stream on Hulu and Disney+

Even though The Artful Dodger has a male lead, that doesn't mean there aren't similarities between the titular character, aka Jack Dawkins, and Anne. Plus, the story serves as a sequel to the events in Charles Dickens' famous novel Oliver Twist, and features a strong female lead, Lady Belle Fox, played by Maia Mitchell. And spoiler alert, there's a romance that brews between Jack and Belle that you will ship just like Anne and Gilbert.

Once Upon a Time premiered in 2011 and ended in 2018. The show was about all the fairytale characters we know and love, but there's a twist. Every fairytale character is connected, and the stories are completely different from the stories we all knew growing up. The series began with Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) giving Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) true love's kiss and waking her up from a sleeping curse. They lived happily ever after, until The Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) crashed their wedding and threatened to cast a curse to take away the happiness of everyone in the kingdom.

The dark curse wasn't the only evil act committed by The Evil Queen (also known as Regina) throughout the duration of the series. She committed serial murder, sexual assault, burned villages, kidnapped children and poisoned countless people. Despite all of this, Regina was still rewarded with her redemption by the end of the series.

Robin Hood was recast in Once Upon A Time from Tom Ellis to Sean Maguire due to scheduling conflicts. Ellis only appeared as Robin Hood in one episode of Once Upon a Time, while Maguire played the character for over 50 episodes. Ellis's biggest TV role came later as Lucifer in a show that originally ran on Fox and later on Netflix.

Once Upon A Time featured several characters from classic tales, among those Robin Hood, who went through a recast after his first appearance. In 2011, viewers were introduced to a new take on fairy tales in Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz's fantasy adventure drama series. The TV show aired on ABC from 2011 to 2018 and came to an end after seven seasons full of magic, betrayal, and heartbreak. Once Upon A Time primarily centered around Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who was found by her son Henry Mills (Jared S. Gilmore...

There’s an old rule in TV that when a show becomes a hit, you’re going to see copycats. So when Lost exploded onto TV screens as a monster success in 2004, it’s no shock that networks were quick to copy it. Sadly, too many of these would-be clones couldn’t come close to Lost’s success, failing to make their mythology or storytelling compelling enough for viewers and the majority didn’t last one season.

Yet there are a number of shows that can appeal to Lost fans. Most are pretty blatant in the setup of folks traveling and somehow trapped in a strange place. Others utilize some great mythology and are backed by a terrific cast to work well. With Lost on Netflix again, it’s time to enjoy the best of shows inspired by it, and these 15 shows definitely appeal to anyone who loves Lost’s unique storytelling style.

Once Upon a Time featured an intricate mythology blending multiple worlds, Disney characters, and fairy tales into one captivating story. Behind the scenes, Jennifer Morrison and Lana Parrilla's alleged feud added tension to the otherwise close-knit cast of Once Upon a Time. The show faced challenges such as scheduling guest stars, gaining Disney approval, and managing rights to fictional characters to create its elaborate world.

ABC's Once Upon a Time took fans into an expansive fictional world that crossed multiple realities, but with a large ensemble cast and so many Disney connections, there was a lot going on behind the scenes of the show. The series is one that could - and should - have made for a truly enjoyable series: fan-favorite fairytale characters have come to life in the modern world due to a magical curse. The show follows Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) after her son tracks her...

It takes a certain caliber of actors to move seamlessly through the entertainment industry and make just enough waves while avoiding the pitfalls.

That's what Jennifer Morrison has managed to do in almost 30 years of her career.

While the actress has primarily stayed in the television lane, she's been in her fair share of films.

However, after her unforgettable role as Emma Swan, Morrison has taken up a directorial hat and is now working behind the scenes.

Don't worry, though, because we have compiled a list of some of the actress's most prolific work.

Also, for those inclined to IMDb, be sure to check out the cast list of a specific slasher entry on the list.

It's technically the only slasher movie here, but you'll still see some big names.

The actor has rubbed elbows with some of Hollywood's biggest names, so don't be surprised if you recognize her from some big-budget films and franchises.

Fans of This is Us just got a dream reunion thanks to the season finale of the show Tracker. The finale saw two beloved actors reunite on screen for the first time since This is Us, and it was a sweet moment that reminded viewers of the chemistry they shared in that series.

Here is a look at the reunion and what happened on Tracker’s season finale.

Tracker Season Finale Sees This Is Us Reunion

The Tracker season finale saw a big reunion for fans of This is Us. Jennifer Morrison joins Justin Hartley for the finale, and that should be a great moment for fans of both shows. Justin played Kevin while Jennifer played Cassidy in This is Us and the new promo for the Tracker finale sees them back together again.

Not only that, but Hartley previously said that Morrison would be playing a “key role” and...

Jennifer Morrison's Emma Swan played a vital role in breaking the curse and uniting fairy tale characters in Once Upon a Time. Season 7 saw a reduced role for Emma, leaving fans questioning the decision behind her limited screen time in the final episodes. Morrison's departure marked the end of an era for the show, with Once Upon a Time never quite recapturing its original magic without Emma.

Created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time brought new life to classic fairy tale characters. The show featured an all-star cast stepping into well-known character roles but with subtle twists. At the front of that cast was actor Jennifer Morrison, playing lead character Emma Swan. She was introduced as a bail bonds agent who encountered a son she had given up for adoption a decade before. What followed was a family story involving alternate...

In a pre-streaming era, there were few shows as ambitious as ABC's fairy tale drama, Once Upon a Time. The initial premise followed Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), a lonely orphan who is brought to the town of Storybrooke, Maine by the son she gave up for adoption, Henry (Jared S. Gilmore). Emma discovers that Storybrooke is a town inhabited by fairy tale characters who can't remember who they are after they were banished there via a curse cast by the Evil Queen, Regina (Lana Parrilla). The daughter of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), Emma is the savior, destined to break the curse.

Once upon a time, there was an enchanted series that dominated Sunday night television for more than half a decade. One of the last shows to debut during ABC's 2011 fall season, Once Upon a Time was a runaway hit. The series was declared the top-rated new drama of the season and received praise from both audiences and critics for its unique twist on fairy tales and its family-friendly nature. Its debut season saw the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla), obsessed with taking vengeance on Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), cast a curse that banished all the fairy tale characters from their world to the "real world" town of Storybrooke, Maine. There, the beloved characters are unable to remember who they really are and can only be freed from their prison by Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), the savior and daughter of Snow and Charming.

Once Upon a Time ran on ABC for seven seasons between 2011 and 2018 and original star Colin O'Donoghue addressed the possibility of a reunion.

During a conversation with Collider to promote his upcoming metaverse talk show The Xavatar Show, which will be hosted in the virtual realm, Colin O'Donoghue also discussed ABC's show Once Upon a Time. O'Donoghue joined the fantasy show in Season 2, where he played the fan-favorite character Captain Hook/ Killian Jones, becoming part of the show's most beloved ships, Captain Hook. Speaking about a possible reboot or revival, O'Donoghue's words were encouraging, noting that "fairy tales will never go out of fashion."

Related Chris Gauthier, Supernatural and Once Upon a Time Actor, Dies at 48 Chris Gauthier, known for Once Upon a Time and many other TV roles, has passed away.

"I think that the show could definitely go again," O'Donoghue replied about the show's revival changes. "I mean,...

The iconic ABC series Once Upon a Time was known for its unique interpretations of classic fairy tale characters. The usage of fairy tales, and more specifically the Disney version of them, meant that a lot of different lore was used and mashed together throughout the entirety of the series. While this led to a lot of fun and entertaining stories, there was also a downside.

Once Upon a Time was often times very flexible with what was canon. With the abundance of characters and aforementioned lore, there was always an element or narrative beat that ended up not making enough sense. The show was fast-paced enough for some viewers to glaze over the confusing plots and decisions, but others were able to see the nonsense for what it was.

Related 10 Best Fantasy Series Of The 21st Century Some fantasy series from the 21st century are considered the best among their fan bases.

The hit ABC series Once Upon a Time included an abundance of interesting storylines, relationships, and, above all, characters. Almost all of the people in the show were characters from previous works of fiction. While the characters came from preexisting stories, that didn't stop Once Upon a Time from putting its own spin on the people of Storybrooke.

The series was a revolving door of characters, from Disney's Anna and Elsa to the Grimm Brothers' Snow Queen, but only a chosen few were able to take center stage throughout the majority of the series. Those chosen few were able to have a more fleshed-out backstory, relationships, and character growth compared to others. In short, the best characters in Once Upon a Time were those who saw the most development overall.

Updated by Joshua M. Patton on January 16, 2024: The Once Upon a Time series was an interesting experiment in storytelling and Disney's corporate vertical integration.

TV shows can transform hated characters into beloved ones by revealing their backstories and showcasing their growth and development over time. Some characters still remain controversial, especially when their past actions are brought to light, making it difficult for viewers to forgive them. Complex and nuanced characters, with flaws and emotions akin to real people, are often the most captivating and interesting ones to watch.

Anything is possible on TV shows that run for a long time. The characters that viewers swore they would always hate have plenty of time to win the audience over. The best writers will incorporate some unexpected twists and turns and develop their characters in a way analogous to how real people change and evolve.

Characters who are hated at first may become more popular because details of their backstory are revealed, making them more sympathetic. It is most rewarding to see a character address...

Once Upon A Time covered fairytales from different categories, intertwining characters in unexpected ways. Emma Swan, the main character, has complex family ties that involve Snow White, Prince Charming, and a son she gave up for adoption. The show introduced new villains each season, often tying them into the family through creative and complicated means.

Once Upon A Time ran on ABC from 2011 to 2018, and during that time, the family line of the main characters expanded vastly and grew very complicated. The show covered fairytales from all different categories. It took from old tales like Cinderella and Snow White, but it also recreated stories from some of the most recent Disney animated movies, such as Frozen and Brave. Spanning all of these characters and putting them into one universe allowed them to grow intertwined in unexpected ways.

Once Upon A Time follows Emma Swan as she is brought to a town called Storybrooke,...

Warning: This article discusses spoilers for several TV shows.

Some of the best TV shows have turned good characters evil for a period of time, allowing for character growth and complexity outside of their usual tropes. Characters in long-running shows need to evolve and change over time, including turning evil, to keep the story and audience engaged. Turning a beloved character evil allows audiences to explore what happens when moral boundaries are broken and still allows for redemption and growth in future episodes.

While it’s easy to love good and bad TV characters for different reasons, one of the best things a show can do is turn one of their good guys evil for a stint. Writing characters that fit into a distinct category is hard, but trying to create a complex character that has experiences outside of their trope is even more so. It allows characters to become...

Once Upon a Time's Emilie De Ravin left the series after season 6, resulting in her character, Belle, having little involvement in the final season. Belle's storyline in Once Upon a Time mostly revolved around her challenging relationship with Rumplestiltskin, culminating in the birth of their son and a battle for his morality. De Ravin expressed her desire to continue with the series but acknowledged that the showrunners felt Belle's character arc had reached its conclusion. Other main characters also did not return for the final season.

Once Upon a Time's Emilie De Ravin left the series after season 6, so her character, Belle, has little to do with the final season. The ABC series, which ran for seven seasons in total, followed the revamped stories of various popular Disney fairytales, and De Ravin's Belle was a spin on the classic character from Beauty and the Beast. Though she was a constant...

Spinoff Once Upon A Time In Wonderland failed to gain traction and weakened its original show, Once Upon A Time. The spinoff, based on Lewis Carroll's novels, explored new characters and fantastical settings, but it was quickly canceled. The decision to run Once Upon A Time In Wonderland in a difficult time slot and alongside more popular shows led to its struggle and eventual cancelation.

Though expected to be a popular addition to network television, the Once Upon A Time In Wonderland spinoff series failed to take off and wound up weakening the momentum of its original show, Once Upon A Time. The idea for the spinoff series came after its forerunning show became a sensation on small screens following the lives of classic fairytale characters like Snow White, Prince Charming, Captain Hook, and more. Once Upon A Time was an ABC hit that aired for seven seasons and...

When I think back on the ABC fairytale series Once Upon a Time, I first and foremost picture the “requel” season’s Cinderella 2.0 on a motorcycle.

Just kidding; no I don’t. And I’d argue that no Ouat fan does. And yet that is the hero/landing page image that Hulu chose to trumpet Ouat‘s return to the platform, which now shares custody of the series with sister streamer Disney+.

More from TVLineThe Great Cancelled at Hulu After 3 SeasonsAnother Only Murders Mystery Solved! Here's Who Charles Was Trying to Protect From Ben on Opening NightOnly Murders in the...

Jennifer Morrison, who played Emma Swan in Once Upon a Time, decided to leave the show after six years due to the grueling schedule and a desire to pursue other creative opportunities like directing. Despite leaving the show, Morrison returned for the series finale to give Emma Swan a proper farewell and happy ending. Morrison has since directed films and episodes of other TV shows but continues to make guest appearances on television, including This Is Us and Will Trent.

Once Upon a Time ran for seven seasons on ABC and put its own spin on classic fairytales like Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast, but at the center of it all was an original character — Emma Swan, played by Jennifer Morrison. Sadly, Morrison was not a series regular for all seven seasons of the television show, seeing as her character exited the series following the season 6 finale.

Bridgerton can cash in on the fairy tale fanfare currently circulating its ton if it features Benedict Bridgerton's love story sooner than later. A Basset family update on Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story teases how the romance series' timeline has persisted since Anthony and Kate's enemies-to-lovers season ended. Along with what's known about Season 3's plot, that adjusted timeline may favor bringing elements of Julia Quinn's An Offer From a Gentleman to the Netflix series' upcoming season. If that's even minutely true, Bridgerton can add to its arsenal of romance tropes with the tried and true ones in Cinderella.

Fans of Julia Quinn's books will know all too well that Benedict's story, the third in the series, retells the classic fairy tale. With conversations swirling about Jonah Hauer-King, who plays Prince Eric in the live-action The Little Mermaid, playing an older iteration of Gregory, it's easy to...

Regularly, many TV shows make the mistake of extending past their prime. As a series becomes popular, networks have difficulty letting go of a sure income. This sometimes ends with a perfectly good show getting one more season than the writing can justify.

Whether it's because part of the cast had to leave the show, the series worked better as a miniseries, or there was no good way of stretching the plot, some shows got a disappointedly underwhelming last season, and fans would prefer if it had ended just a little bit before.

Related: 10 Popular TV Shows That Are Banned In Other Countries (& Why)

Scrubs

Scrubs is one of the most hilarious sitcoms from the 2000s, but its last season shouldn't have happened. The show was supposed to end in its eighth season, but ABC announced a new season centered on a new group of students in the fictional town of Winston University.

The iconic ABC series Once Upon a Time was known for its unique interpretations of classic fairy tale characters. The usage of fairy tales meant that a lot of different lore was used and mashed together throughout the entirety of the series. While this led to a lot of fun and entertaining stories, there was also a downside.

Once Upon a Time was often times confusing. With the abundance of characters and aforementioned lore, there was always something that ended up not making enough sense. The show was fast-paced enough for some viewers to glaze over the confusing plots and decisions, but others were able to see the nonsense for what it was.

Related: 10 Best Fantasy Series Of The 21st Century

Emma's Superpower

One of the first things the audience learns about Emma Swan is that she has a special superpower: she can tell when someone is lying. This definitely...

Once Upon a Time introduced a lot of characters, each of whom took on multiple names, and digging into the meanings of those names can add a lot to each character's background. The show brought in a number of fairytale characters, mixing and matching their stories, and then brought the classic characters into the real world through a series of curses. The character Rumplestiltskin is central to each of the series' arcs, and with that as a base, it shouldn't be surprising that the names of each character are directly connected to their roles in the story and relationships with each other.

By the time of its end with the Once Upon a Time season 7 finale, nearly every main character's parents were introduced, providing new context as to why they were given particular names in-world. Beyond that, the names generally had additional meanings through their connections with literature, religion, and traditional name meanings.

Following the release of Netflix’s original Addams family-based series Wednesday, the internet has started its usual and time-honored tradition of heralding a new it-girl: 20-year-old actress Jenna Ortega. And what’s the best way to celebrate a beloved internet personality? With a meme, of course. Fans have been using the phrase “Jenna Ortega reveals” to push funny but decidedly false “facts” about the Fallout and X actress. But the meme is burying some of the most interesting (and real) information about filming Wednesday — Ortega had Covid during her now famous goth prom scene.

Re-imagining classic fairytales has become a famous story arc in 2022 with shows like Netflix's The School For Good and Evil, which reevaluates what it means to be an evil villain versus a perceived villain, and Disenchanted, which thrusts the classic storybook characters into the real world, challenge them to find ways to balance both versions of their lives.

But the latest films and series aren't the first to test the boundaries of fairytale lore; Once Upon A Time threw characters into the real world with a dynamic cast of characters who changed the narrative of what it meant to be part of a fairytale. Emma Swan is one of the show's most dynamic characters, functioning as both a fairytale and a real-world character. Her strong personality and character flaws have inspired the internet to make memes about her choices and traits.

Know It All Emma...well she's definitely puzzled...

With the recent news of Lana Parrilla joining the upcoming Jennifer Lopez film, Atlas, and season 2 of The Lincoln Lawyer, fans are surely reminiscing about Parrilla's most iconic role to date: Regina Mills from ABC's Once Upon a Time. Of course, part of what made the evil queen's sassy and determined character so popular was her intense chemistry and complicated relationship with the show's protagonist, Emma Swan.

From their incessant banter to their ride-or-die friendship, Emma and Regina were the show's best dynamic duo, with the Swan Queen pairing becoming one of the most popular fan ships to emerge from the series, as evidenced by the plethora of memes that showcase their relationship.

Tom And Jerry Vibes Emma Swan Regina Mills https://t.co/9gRag4lVNs pic.twitter.com/SPMSCCLwpc — ᴇʟʟɪᴇ (@mwahLP) January 3, 2021

Part of what made Emma and Regina's relationship so beloved is how well they complemented one another.

On October 23rd, 2011, Once Upon A Time premiered on ABC. It was a show about fairytale characters/Disney properties and what happens when they end up in our world. The show lasted for seven years, boasted one spin-off and an active fanbase. 

It's been ten years since Emma Swan blew out a candle on a cupcake and made a wish that changed her life, and much like with Revenge and Hart of Dixie, I wanted to mark the occasion.

TV Fanatic staff writers Laura Nowak, Becca Newton, former staff writer Sarah Little, and I discussed what we loved about the show, what we hated, what we shipped, and how we fangirl now that it's all over.

What made you watch Once Upon A Time going in? What expectations did you have of the show? Do you feel the show met those expectations?

Sarah: I started watching Once Upon a Time...

As Grumpy might bellow, “The anniversary! It’s here!”

As ABC’s Once Upon a Time marks 10 years since its well-watched premiere, what better time to look way, way back to when it all began, with this “encore presentation” of our pilot quiz?

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Any fan worth their salt remembers the general plot of the fantastical series’ first episode, in which a wee...

Romance was always in the air in Once Upon a Time, as the show existed in a world where love was powerful enough to stop any curse. Snow White and Prince Charming had the most solid relationship in the series and they served as a living example of what true love looks like.

Related: Once Upon a Time: 10 Best Kisses, Ranked

Emma Swan is the protagonist, and it was only fair that she'd be given an epic love story like her parents. When Emma met Hook in what was left of the Enchanted Forest, they didn't get off on the best foot. But just like Snow and Charming, the two fell for each other. Their journey is incredible, and there are multiple quotes throughout the series that showcase how strong their love is.

The season four premiere of The Handmaid's Tale sees June and her fellow Martha network members seek refuge at a safe house run by Commander Keyes and his young wife Esther. While Mrs. Keyes bears a striking resemblance to Kiernan Shipka, she's actually played by McKenna Grace. And no, the two aren't related, but they are aware of the similarities. "When Kiernan heard we were doing Lil' Sabrina, she texted me a picture of her with McKenna and said, 'You have to get McKenna. She's like me as a little girl and we're dead ringers,'" Chilling Adventures of Sabrina showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa previously said in an interview with The Wrap.

If you're wondering where you've seen Grace before, outside of Shipka comparisons on Twitter, she's can be seen in pretty much everything from Netflix productions to the Disney Channel. The 14-year-old actor has been young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel,...

As the protagonist of ABC's fairytale-based series Once Upon a Time, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) was a character who audiences rooted for from beginning to end. Emma served the role of the Savior for the realms of Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest alike, and she was almost always in action hero mode as a result.

Related: Every Season Of Once Upon A Time, Ranked By IMDb Average

Despite her fairytale pedigree, Emma was also the primary character without a fairytale counterpart, which made her costume choices drastically different than any of the other main characters. But whether in the real world or the fairytale world, Emma Swan still had plenty of hits and misses in the fashion department, just like everyone else.

Once Upon A Time introduced a world where fairy tales are real, and anything is possible with the power of True Love. Storybrooke has been home to many an eligible bachelor from Pinocchio to Robin Hood, but few have come close to the confidence, charm, and wit of Captain Hook.

Related: Which Character From Once Upon A Time Is Your Soulmate, Based On Your Zodiac?

Armed with his dashing good looks and a silver tongue, Hook has shamelessly flirted his way in and out of many characters’ good graces, but deep down, he is a true romantic at heart. Though he only has eyes for Emma Swan, that doesn’t mean that he didn’t still have sizzling chemistry with almost everyone that he met.

Emma Swan was not the first person to appear on Once Upon A Time. However, Emma's significance was hinted at when Rumple suggested that Snow and Charming's daughter would be The Savior. Emma was destined to free everyone from the Dark Curse, but she remained an integral part of the show after succeeding. Emma learned how to use and control magic. She got involved in the Enchanted Forest, as well as other people Emma grew up believing were fictional.

Related: Once Upon A Time: 10 Episodes To Watch If You Miss Captain Swan

Regina Mills, meanwhile, was not a hero at first. She grew angry after Cora killed Daniel and made it her life's mission to take revenge on Snow White. After years of reveling in her vengeance, Regina's plan came crashing down, and suddenly her victory was over. However, that was not the end of Regina's story, and there was...

ABC’s epic fantasy drama Once Upon A Time whisked audiences away to Storybrooke, a place where the modern world and fairytales collide. Cursed by The Evil Queen with false memories, the magical residents live in an ageless bubble with no awareness of their true identities. Everything changes with the arrival of Emma Swan, the long lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming.

Related: Once Upon A Time: 5 Couples We Loved (& 5 We Hated)

The concept of True Love is a prevailing theme of the series, and Emma found that with none other than Captain Hook. Dashing and roguishly handsome, it was clear from their first episode together that their relationship was going to be something special. Though the show ended in 2018, fans feeling nostalgic can relive some of their sweetest, hottest, and most romantic moments through some of their best episodes on DisneyPlus.

Jennifer Morrison has had a lengthy and storied career dating back about two decades at this point. While she has made appearances in films like Urban Legends: Final Cut, Star Trek, Warrior, and Assassination Nation, she is most known for working in television.

Related: Once Upon A Time: 5 Times Emma Was The Hero Of The Story (& 5 Times It Was Someone Else)

Her biggest and most popular role came as the lead character of Emma Swan on Once Upon a Time for six seasons. While that's what everyone remembers, fans might have forgotten that she was also part of several other major television series over the years. From lead roles to guest appearances, she has kind of been everywhere.