The Once Upon A Time Cast: 7 Stars Who Found Their Happily Ever After (And What They're Doing In 2025)
The magic of Storybrooke may have faded from our screens, but the careers of the Once Upon a Time cast are still thriving in Hollywood. As of December 20, 2025, the stars who brought the classic fairy tale characters to life are busier than ever, moving into major new roles, stepping behind the camera, and even reprising iconic voice roles for Disney sequels. The latest news is buzzing with reunion panels and talks of a potential reboot, proving that the legacy of *OUAT* is far from over.
From Jennifer Morrison's pivot to directing major network shows to Lana Parrilla's high-profile Netflix role and Robert Carlyle's packed slate of upcoming series, we dive deep into the current lives and careers of the seven main actors. Prepare to be enchanted by their real-life "happily ever afters" and discover their most recent, fresh projects for 2024 and 2025.
The Main Cast: Biography and Latest Projects (2024-2025)
The core cast of Once Upon a Time, which ran from 2011 to 2018, created some of the most beloved and complex characters in modern fantasy television. Here is a look at the actors who anchored the series and their current professional endeavors, including exciting new developments for 2025.
- Jennifer Morrison (Emma Swan / The Savior)
- Born: April 12, 1979 (Chicago, Illinois)
- Role: Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, and The Savior.
- Latest Update: Morrison has significantly shifted her focus to directing. Her recent work includes directing an episode of the hit CBS series Tracker, which filmed between July 2024 and April 2025, marking a major step in her career behind the camera. She also had a recent art exhibition in 2024.
- Lana Parrilla (Regina Mills / The Evil Queen)
- Born: July 15, 1977 (Brooklyn, New York)
- Role: Regina Mills, the mayor of Storybrooke and the infamous Evil Queen.
- Latest Update: Parrilla has found a new home on Netflix. She starred in Season 2 of the legal drama *The Lincoln Lawyer* as Lisa Trammell and is a confirmed cast member for the upcoming Season 4, which is expected to premiere in 2025. She has also been a central figure in recent *OUAT* reunion panels, expressing her openness to a potential reboot of the series.
- Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold / The Dark One)
- Born: April 14, 1961 (Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland)
- Role: Rumplestiltskin, the manipulative yet tragic Dark One, also known as the pawnbroker Mr. Gold.
- Latest Update: Carlyle has a packed schedule for 2025. His upcoming projects include the films *The Performance* (2025) and *North of Normal* (2024). On the television front, he is starring in the new Netflix series *Toxic Town* and the ITVX show *The Hack*, both expected to be released in 2025.
- Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard)
- Born: May 22, 1978 (Memphis, Tennessee)
- Role: Snow White, the school teacher Mary Margaret Blanchard, and mother to Emma Swan.
- Latest Update: Goodwin is returning to a beloved Disney role. She is set to reprise her voice role as Judy Hopps in the highly anticipated Disney animated sequel, *Zootopia 2*, which is scheduled for release in 2025. She also continues to make public appearances with her husband and co-star, Josh Dallas, in 2024.
- Josh Dallas (Prince Charming / David Nolan)
- Born: December 18, 1978 (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Role: Prince Charming, the loyal David Nolan, and father to Emma Swan.
- Latest Update: Following the conclusion of his major post-*OUAT* role as Ben Stone in the NBC/Netflix series *Manifest* (2018-2023), Dallas has been enjoying family time. His most recent public appearances in 2024 have been alongside his wife, Ginnifer Goodwin. The couple, who met and fell in love on the set of *OUAT*, remain one of Hollywood's most famous real-life fairy tale couples.
- Colin O'Donoghue (Captain Hook / Killian Jones)
- Born: January 26, 1981 (Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland)
- Role: Captain Killian Jones, the swashbuckling pirate known as Hook, and Emma Swan's true love.
- Latest Update: O'Donoghue continues to be a fan-favorite at comic conventions, participating in panels like the one at Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) 2025. His recent acting work includes the Disney+ series *The Right Stuff*, and he frequently engages with fans about his time as the beloved Captain Hook.
- Jared S. Gilmore (Henry Mills)
- Born: May 30, 2000 (San Diego, California)
- Role: Henry Mills, the "Believer" who sets the entire story in motion and the biological son of Emma Swan.
- Latest Update: The actor who played the young "Author" has largely stepped away from traditional acting to focus on his passion for gaming. Gilmore is now an active and successful Twitch streamer, engaging with his fanbase in the gaming community. This shift highlights a modern career path for former child stars.
The Enchanting Power of the On-Screen and Off-Screen Charmings
One of the most enduring legacies of the show is the real-life romance between Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard) and Josh Dallas (Prince Charming/David Nolan). Their relationship began while filming, leading to their marriage and the birth of their two sons. This fairy tale romance captivated fans, who affectionately dubbed them "The Charmings."
The chemistry between the two actors was so palpable that Goodwin’s first pregnancy was seamlessly written into the storyline, further blurring the lines between the fantasy world of *OUAT* and their personal lives. While Dallas wrapped his four-season run on the hit sci-fi series *Manifest* in 2023, Goodwin is set for a major return to the big screen in 2025 with the sequel *Zootopia 2*. Their continued public appearances in 2024, often holding hands on the red carpet, confirm their status as Hollywood royalty.
Reunions, Reboots, and The Future of Storybrooke Magic
Despite the series finale airing years ago, fan demand for more Once Upon a Time remains incredibly high. The cast members frequently come together for convention panels, providing fresh insights and fueling rumors of a potential revival. The most recent and exciting news for Oncers is the string of 2025 reunion events.
The 2025 Convention Circuit and Reboot Rumors
In 2025, major conventions have hosted popular reunion panels. Stars like Lana Parrilla (Regina Mills), Rebecca Mader (Zelena/The Wicked Witch), and Sean Maguire (Robin Hood) took the stage at C2E2 2025 in Chicago, where they passionately discussed the show and their characters. A similar gathering featuring Colin O'Donoghue (Hook), Mader, and Maguire delighted fans at Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) 2025.
The most compelling news, however, comes from Lana Parrilla herself. She has openly stated on a podcast that she is "open to returning" for an official *Once Upon a Time* reboot. The possibility of seeing The Evil Queen/Regina Mills, The Savior/Emma Swan, and the rest of the beloved characters return to a modern Storybrooke setting has created a massive buzz among the fanbase and industry insiders. The continued popularity of these reunion panels proves there is a significant audience ready for a revival.
From Fairy Tale to Global Thrillers: Cast Career Highlights
Beyond the reunion buzz, the cast members have diversified their careers, demonstrating their versatility:
- The Dark One's New Darkness: Robert Carlyle, famous for his role as Rumplestiltskin, is diving back into complex, dark roles with multiple high-profile projects. His starring roles in the 2025 TV series *Toxic Town* for Netflix and *The Hack* for ITVX show his continued relevance in prestige television.
- The Savior Directs: Jennifer Morrison has successfully transitioned from acting to directing. Directing an episode of the popular series *Tracker* in 2024-2025 solidifies her reputation as a formidable talent behind the camera, following her earlier directorial work.
- The Author Streams: Jared S. Gilmore's shift to becoming a Twitch streamer is a fascinating modern career move, connecting him directly with fans in the digital space, offering a unique "where are they now" story.
The journey of the Once Upon a Time cast post-series is a compelling narrative of professional evolution, real-life romance, and a shared dedication to the magical universe they created. Whether they return for a full-scale reboot or continue to thrive in their individual projects, the stars who brought the world of Storybrooke to life are ensuring their own professional happily ever afters.
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