It’s been years. Honestly, it feels like a lifetime since we first saw that yellow Bug roll into Storybrooke, Maine. But even now, if you scroll through TikTok or check out what’s trending on Disney+, the cast of Once Upon a Time still commands this weirdly intense, loyal following. It makes sense. They didn't just play characters; they played archetypes that were smashed, rebuilt, and occasionally given a very questionable CGI dragon to fight.
Fans still argue about the ships. Captain Swan vs. Swan Queen? People will go to war over that in the comments. But beyond the fandom drama, there’s a genuine curiosity about where these actors went. When you spend seven seasons jumping between a literal Enchanted Forest and a town where no one can leave, how do you just go back to "normal" acting? Some stayed in the spotlight. Others basically vanished into a quiet life or shifted behind the scenes.
Jennifer Morrison and the Weight of Emma Swan
Jennifer Morrison was the anchor. As Emma Swan, she had to play the "Savior," which is a lot of pressure for any actor. She had already come off a massive run on House, so she knew how to handle a long-running procedural, but Once was different. It was physical. It was emotional. It was exhausting.
She actually left the show as a series regular before the final season, which caught a lot of people off guard. She was just done. She needed a break from the grind of Vancouver winters. Since then, Morrison has pivoted in a way most didn't expect. She’s become a powerhouse director. She’s helmed episodes of Euphoria—yeah, the gritty HBO show—and Dr. Death. It's a massive shift from the family-friendly vibes of Storybrooke. She did return for This Is Us, proving she still has those acting chops, but her heart seems to be in the director’s chair these days. It’s a smart move. She’s taking control of the narrative instead of just being the one in front of the lens.
Lana Parrilla: From Evil Queen to Director and Beyond
If Emma was the anchor, Regina Mills was the soul. Lana Parrilla took a character who was supposed to be a one-dimensional villain and turned her into a redemption arc for the ages. Let's be real: Regina carried the show on her back half the time. Her wardrobe alone deserved an Emmy.
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After the show wrapped, Parrilla didn't just sit around. She stayed busy, notably appearing in the second season of Why Women Kill. She played Rita Castillo, and honestly, it felt like a spiritual successor to Regina—glamorous, dangerous, and deeply complicated. She also started directing, following in Morrison’s footsteps. She directed the episode "Chosen" during the final season of Once Upon a Time, and fans loved it. She’s also become a staple on the convention circuit. If you go to a comic-con today, the line for Lana is usually the longest. She treats her fans like royalty, which is fitting.
The Men of Storybrooke: Hooks, Rumps, and Princes
Then there’s Colin O'Donoghue. Captain Hook. The guyliner. The leather. He joined the cast of Once Upon a Time in season two and changed the entire trajectory of the show. Before him, it was a bit more whimsical. After him, it became a romance powerhouse.
Colin has stayed pretty active in the Disney family, doing voice work and starring in The Right Stuff for Disney+. He’s also a musician. If you haven't heard his band, The Enemies, you’re missing out. He’s got that classic Irish charm that translates well to just about any medium.
Robert Carlyle, who played Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin, was always the "prestige" actor of the group. He was already a legend from Trainspotting and The Full Monty. For him, the show was a chance to play two vastly different characters in one body. Since the finale, he’s returned to his roots. He went back to the UK, did a Full Monty sequel series for Hulu/Disney+, and continues to pick projects that are a bit darker and more grounded than the fairy tales of Maine. He’s an actor’s actor. He doesn't do the "celebrity" thing much. He just works.
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Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin are the ones who actually lived the fairy tale. They met on set, fell in love, got married, and have kids. It’s almost too perfect. Dallas went on to lead Manifest, which became a massive hit on Netflix after being canceled by NBC. He’s the king of the "dad-core" mystery thriller now. Goodwin has been more selective, doing some voice work (she’s Judy Hopps in Zootopia, obviously) and appearing in Why Women Kill alongside her old co-star Lana Parrilla.
Why the Chemistry Actually Worked
Why do we still care about this specific group? There are dozens of ensemble casts on TV, but this one felt different. It was the "Vancouver Factor."
Most of these shows filmed in British Columbia are isolated. The cast spends sixteen hours a day together in the rain. They become a family because they have to. That translates to the screen. When you see Snow and Charming together, that’s not just acting; that’s a real-life couple looking at each other. When you see the tension between Regina and Emma, that’s two actresses who have spent years learning each other’s rhythms.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
We can't talk about the cast of Once Upon a Time without mentioning the "guests" who became icons.
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- Rebecca Mader (Zelena): She was only supposed to be a short-term villain. She ended up staying forever because she was just too fun to watch. She’s still very close with Lana Parrilla.
- Emilie de Ravin (Belle): Since the show, she’s focused heavily on her family, though she occasionally pops up in Australian productions.
- Sean Maguire (Robin Hood): His exit was one of the most controversial moments in the show’s history. Fans are still mad about it. He’s been working steadily in shows like The Magicians and S.W.A.T.
The "Legacy" of the Show in 2026
Looking back from the vantage point of 2026, the show occupies a weird space in pop culture. It wasn't "prestige TV" like Succession, but it wasn't a throwaway sitcom either. It was a massive, sprawling epic that tried to do too much and somehow succeeded because the actors took the ridiculous premises seriously.
When an actor is asked to stand in a green-screen room and scream at a tennis ball that’s supposed to be a giant ogre, they can either half-ass it or go all in. This cast went all in. That’s why the show has such a long tail on streaming platforms. It’s "comfort food" TV, but with high stakes.
What to Watch if You Miss the Cast
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you don't have to just rewatch the pilot for the 50th time. You can follow the breadcrumbs of their careers.
- Watch Manifest to see Josh Dallas lead a show with even more confusing lore than Once.
- Check out Euphoria to see the visual style Jennifer Morrison has developed as a director.
- Track down Why Women Kill season two for a dose of Lana Parrilla’s incredible fashion and acting.
- Listen to the Zootopia soundtrack or watch the sequel to hear Ginnifer Goodwin.
The reality is, a reunion isn't totally out of the cards. In the world of reboots and revivals, Disney knows they have a goldmine here. Most of the cast has said they’d come back if the script was right. Until then, we’re left with their new projects and the seven seasons of magic they left behind.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Storybrooke, your best bet is to start following the actors on social media. Many of them, like Lana Parrilla and Emilie de Ravin, are very active and often share "throwback" photos from the set that give a lot of insight into how the show was actually made. You can also look for the official convention schedules; even in 2026, the "Once" family is a mainstay at fan events across the globe. Grab your leather jacket, find a red apple, and keep the magic alive.