Once Upon a Time season 7 explained

Season Number:7
Bgcolour:
  1. 2E5392
Network:ABC
Num Episodes:22
Episode List:List of Once Upon a Time episodes

The seventh and final season of the American ABC fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time was ordered on May 11, 2017.[1] It premiered on October 6, 2017, and consisted of 22 episodes, having aired on Fridays instead of Sundays in prior seasons.[2]

The season marked a significant change for the series, as it was announced at the end of the sixth season that the majority of the main cast members would not be returning in such capacity for the seventh. Lana Parrilla, Colin O'Donoghue and Robert Carlyle were the only ones remaining, while Rebecca Mader and Jared S. Gilmore returned in recurring capacities. Andrew J. West and Alison Fernandez were announced as new regulars in May 2017. Dania Ramirez and Gabrielle Anwar were announced as additional regulars in July 2017. In August 2017, it was announced that Mekia Cox had been promoted to series regular after initially joining the cast in July as recurring.

The storyline was softly rebooted[3] [4] [5] with a main narrative led by an adult Henry Mills, set several years after last season's events.[6] In February 2018, it was announced the seventh season would serve as the final season of the series; the season and series concluded on May 18, 2018.[7]

Existing fictional characters introduced to the series during the season include Tiana, Mother Gothel, Eudora, Dr. Facilier, Prince Naveen, Madame Leota, and Captain Ahab. The season also introduced new iterations of various characters from previous seasons, including Cinderella, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, Anastasia, Rapunzel, Jack, Hansel, Gretel and the Blind Witch, as well as Alice, another version of whom previously appeared in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

Premise

Several years after the final battle, Henry Mills leaves Storybrooke in search of his own story, only to find himself in the Magical Kingdom,[8] where a conflict among its inhabitants culminates in the casting of a new curse that sends the Magical Kingdom inhabitants to a Seattle neighborhood known as "Hyperion Heights", and back to the past, before Henry left Storybrooke. As Henry's daughter Lucy sets out to restore his belief, Mother Gothel seeks to reclaim her former home by using her Coven of the Eight, while other villains, including Lady Tremaine, Drizella, Dr. Facilier, and Hansel, each have their own agendas. The eventual breaking of the curse leads to the arrival of the Wish Realm version of Rumplestiltskin, who seeks to destroy everyone’s happiness. His defeat leads Regina to cast a good variation of the Dark Curse, which merges all the realms into one: the United Realms.

Cast and characters

See main article: List of Once Upon a Time characters.

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

See also: List of Once Upon a Time episodes.

Production

Development

In January 2017, while the sixth season was still in production, ABC president Channing Dungey spoke of a possible "reset" of the show's narrative in the event that the show received an order for a seventh season.[6] After much speculation, executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis later confirmed that certain characters would have their storylines wrapped up and that the back-end of the sixth season had been written with season seven's narrative change in mind.[58] Despite the major changes from seasons past, the showrunners have said that they do not view season seven as a complete reboot of the show. Horowitz said: "I hesitate to use the word 'reboot'. We're more thinking about it as a hybrid of a lot of things. We're paying homage to the original premise, but there are certain characters who are returning and some who are not. It's a combination of a lot of things, but what we're trying to do is go in a new direction but stay true to the spirit of what the show has always been."[59]

In July 2017, the creators announced that the season would be set in the fictitious Seattle neighborhood of Hyperion Heights, which was created under a new curse. Residents of this neighborhood included displaced characters from the original and new versions of the Enchanted Forest, as well as regular people from the Land Without Magic. This differs from Storybrooke in the first six seasons, which was an isolated town that was blocked off from real-world Maine. The initial villain is Lady Tremaine, who assumes the role of an urban developer who seeks to "gentrify the neighborhood" and push out and separate fairytale residents. Meanwhile, Storybrooke and various Fairy Tale Land locations still appear in the flashbacks of the season as the story bounces back and forth between the characters' lives before and during the latest curse.[60]

The main flashback setting of the seventh season is the New Enchanted Forest, which is a New Fairy Tale Land realm.[61] Other locations featured in flashbacks are the Edge of Realms, the Wish Realm, the New Wonderland, Oz, and Storybrooke.

Casting

In May 2017, it was announced that Lana Parrilla, Colin O'Donoghue, and Robert Carlyle would be the only series regulars from season 6 to continue onto season 7.[9] The character of Henry would also return, but as a man in his late 20s-early 30s portrayed by Andrew J. West. It was teased that the four would be portraying their original characters but with cursed identities, similar to the circumstances in season 1. In July, the first promo of the season revealed that Killian is now a Seattle police officer with the last name Rogers, who is living with an unexplained sense of loss. In August, it was revealed that Regina is now a bar owner named Roni, who is more dressed down and is "no longer in charge."[62]

Former main cast member Jennifer Morrison has confirmed that she has agreed to return for at least one episode, first appearing in the second episode of the season.[63] [64] Morrison announced her last filming day for the episode on July 19, 2017.[65] On July 22, it was confirmed that Emilie de Ravin would return for the fourth episode of the season.[35]

In March 2017, Andrew J. West and Alison Fernandez were cast for unknown guest roles in the season 6 finale. During the episode, it was revealed that West was portraying an adult Henry Mills, while Fernandez portrayed his daughter, Lucy. After that episode's airing, they were confirmed as series regulars for season 7.[9] West took over the role from Jared S. Gilmore, who has been confirmed to appear in at least the first two episodes of the season.[16] [66]

On July 6, 2017, it was announced that Dania Ramirez and Gabrielle Anwar would be two additional series regulars for season 7.[9] Additionally, Adelaide Kane, Mekia Cox, and Rose Reynolds were cast in recurring roles for the season.[9] On July 15, it was announced that Ramirez would be portraying Cinderella, albeit a different version from the one previously played by Jessy Schram for the first six seasons.[10] On July 22 at San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that Anwar and Kane will be portraying Lady Tremaine and Drizella, respectively. Cox would be portraying Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, while Reynolds would be playing an alternate version of Alice, a character previously featured in the spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.[67] In August 2017, Cox was promoted to series regular status.[15]

On August 1, it was announced that Giles Matthey would return as an adult Gideon for the season's fourth episode. The episode, also featuring de Ravin, would be centered around Rumple.[36] On that same day, it was also announced that Emma Booth was cast in a major recurring role as the Witch,[22] whose more specific identity would be revealed later on during the season.[68] On August 25, Kevin Ryan announced that he would be making an appearance as a new prince in the upcoming season.[69] On August 30, it was announced that Robin Givens had been cast as Tiana's mother, Eudora.[25]

On September 8, it was announced that Meegan Warner would be guest starring as an alternate version of Rapunzel, a character previously featured in the season 3 episode "The Tower".[26] It was later revealed that the character would appear in a multi-episode arc.[70] On September 20, it was announced that former regular Rebecca Mader would return for multiple episodes in the seventh season as Zelena, who would also have a cursed identity.[71] [72]

On October 2, it was announced that Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog would make an appearance during the season,[73] later revealed to be portrayed by Daniel Francis in the season's fifth episode.[37] On October 3, it was announced that flashbacks of the ninth episode would feature a "tweenage" Anastasia, Lady Tremaine's other biological daughter.[74]

On November 1, it was announced that Tiera Skovbye would be recurring as an older version of Robin, the daughter of Zelena and Robin Hood.[27] On November 2, it was announced that Nathan Parsons had been cast in a recurring role as Nick, a lawyer and potential love interest for another character.[29] On November 3, it was announced that the show was casting for the role of Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, who will be recurring in the second half of the season.[75] It was later revealed that the role would be played by Jeff Pierre, who first appeared in the twelfth episode of the season.[32] On November 16, actor Chad Rook announced that he had been cast in an unknown role, later revealed to be Captain Ahab in the thirteenth episode.[76]

On January 23, 2018, it was announced that Kip Pardue had been cast as Chad, Zelena's fiancé from when she was cursed as Kelly. He made his appearance in the seventeenth episode of the season.[45]

On March 16, it was announced that multiple former cast members were set to appear in one or both of the season's (and series') last two episodes. This includes former regulars Gilmore (who had also been confirmed to appear in the twentieth episode)[77] and Sean Maguire, as well as formerly recurring stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Victoria Smurfit, Robbie Kay, Beverley Elliott, Lee Arenberg, Keegan Connor Tracy and Tony Amendola. On March 21, it was announced that Morrison and de Ravin would be back for a second time, along with Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas for the final episode of the series.[53] In addition, Raphael Sbarge, David Paul Grove, and Faustino Di Bauda confirmed that they would also appear in the finale.[56] [57]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' Renewed for Season 7 at ABC. Goldberg. Lesley. The Hollywood Reporter. May 11, 2017. May 11, 2017.
  2. Web site: New 'Once Upon A Time' Tease Reveals Where The Series Will Pick Up In Season 7. Macke. Johnni. People's Choice. July 5, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  3. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' Renewed for Season 7 at ABC. The Hollywood Reporter. May 11, 2017 . December 5, 2017. The reboot comes as Once remains a valuable property for ABC..
  4. Web site: 'Once Upon A Time' Soft Reboot: Emma Swan Reunites With Hook & Finds Closure in Their Story. Music. Times. September 6, 2017. MusicTimes. December 5, 2017. The coming seventh season of "Once Upon a Time" will have a soft reboot and will embark on a new chapter..
  5. Web site: Once Upon a Time is back — but is it still magical?. October 7, 2017. Digital Spy. December 5, 2017. There was understandably some scepticism and worry when ABC announced that Once Upon a Times seventh season would be a soft reboot, set many years after last spring's finale and featuring a mostly new cast..
  6. Web site: 'Once Upon A Time': Current Narrative To Wrap At End Of Season 6; Will There Be Season 7?. Nellie. Andreeva. January 10, 2017. April 25, 2017. Deadline.
  7. Once Upon a Time to end after season 7 . Abrams . Natalie . Entertainment Weekly . February 6, 2018 . February 6, 2018.
  8. News: Once Upon a Time: A Pirate's Life (10/13). 2018-05-15. en-US. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103207/https://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/pressrelease/once-upon-a-time-a-pirates-life-1013/. dead.
  9. Web site: Once Upon a Time Season 7: Get Fresh Details on Henry's 'Epic Quest' — Plus, New Identities for Regina & Co.?!. Mitovich. Matt Webb. TVLine. May 16, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  10. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Dania Ramirez Is Playing 'New' Cinderella — Photo. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. July 15, 2017. July 15, 2017.
  11. Web site: (#701) "Hyperion Heights". The Futon Critic. September 18, 2017.
  12. Web site: Once Upon a Time Season 7 Reset: Gabrielle Anwar, Devious Maids Alum, Reign Star Among 5 New Additions. Mitovich. Matt Webb. TVLine. July 6, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  13. Web site: Once Upon a Time recap: 'One Little Tear'. Bell. Amanda. Entertainment Weekly. December 8, 2017. December 9, 2017.
  14. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Homecoming. Disney - ABC Television Group. May 10, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511150304/https://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/onceuponatime/episodes/homecoming-1525366777/videos/. dead.
  15. Web site: Spoiler Room: Scoop on Once Upon a Time, Supergirl, Teen Wolf, and more. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. August 31, 2017. August 31, 2017.
  16. Web site: Once Upon a Time bosses drop new clues on season 7. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. July 15, 2017. July 15, 2017.
  17. Web site: Once Upon a Time just mocked its own complicated story lines. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. May 11, 2018. May 11, 2018.
  18. Web site: Once Upon a Time's Adelaide Kane talks millennial meanie Drizella. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. October 3, 2017. October 3, 2017.
  19. Web site: Once Upon a Time's Rose Reynolds introduces streetwise, enigmatic Alice. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
  20. BBinBKK. Bruce. Blain. 985006955226808320. @LanaParrilla Well, twitter certainly seems to be happy with the episode! Congrats! Now, do you want to tell them about #SamuelBRyce, or should I? Oh, and here's a BTS pic I've been hanging on to but couldn't share until now. #OnceUponaTime @OnceABC #DeskSergeant. April 13, 2018. April 21, 2018.
  21. Web site: (#702) "A Pirate's Life". The Futon Critic. May 7, 2018.
  22. Web site: 'Once Upon A Time': Emma Booth Joins ABC Fairytale Drama As Recurring. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline.com. August 1, 2017. August 1, 2017.
  23. Web site: Once Upon a Time officially confirms identity of Hook's daughter — and her mom!. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. November 17, 2017. November 17, 2017.
  24. Web site: (#712) "A Taste of the Heights". The Futon Critic. March 5, 2018.
  25. Web site: Once Upon a Time adds Robin Givens as Tiana's mom. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. August 30, 2017. August 30, 2017.
  26. Web site: Once Upon a Time Casts TURN Alum Meegan Warner as the New [Spoiler]]. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. September 8, 2017. September 8, 2017. September 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911094540/http://tvline.com/2017/09/08/once-upon-a-time-season-7-rapunzel-meegan-warner/. dead.
  27. Web site: Once Upon a Time Casts Riverdale's Tiera Skovbye as [Spoiler]'s Daughter]. Mitovich. Matt Webb. TVLine. November 1, 2017. November 1, 2017.
  28. Web site: (#714) "The Girl in the Tower". The Futon Critic. March 26, 2018.
  29. Web site: Once Upon a Time books The Originals star as potential love interest. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. November 2, 2017. November 2, 2017.
  30. Web site: (#707/708) "Eloise Gardener / Pretty in Blue". The Futon Critic. November 15, 2017.
  31. Web site: (#709) "One Little Tear". The Futon Critic. December 2, 2017.
  32. Web site: Once Upon a Time Casts Tiana's Prince Naveen With Beyond's Jeff Pierre. Matt Webb. Mitovich. January 30, 2018. January 30, 2018. TVLine. February 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210207221522/https://tvline.com/2018/01/30/once-upon-a-time-prince-naveen-cast-jeff-pierre-season-7/. dead.
  33. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Hyperion Heights (10/6). Disney - ABC Television Group. September 18, 2017. December 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171203224529/http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/pressrelease/once-upon-a-time-season-premiere-hyperion-heights-106/. December 3, 2017. dead.
  34. Web site: Jennifer Morrison On Why She Is Leaving 'Once Upon a Time', Emma's Final Battle & What's Next. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline. May 8, 2017. May 9, 2017.
  35. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Emilie de Ravin books return in season 7. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. July 22, 2017. July 22, 2017.
  36. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Giles Matthey to return in season 7. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. August 1, 2017. August 1, 2017.
  37. Web site: (#705) "Greenbacks". The Futon Critic. October 30, 2017.
  38. Web site: Once Upon a Time Reveals Rapunzel's Cursed Identity. Vick. Megan. TV Guide. December 8, 2017. December 9, 2017.
  39. horgandee. Dana Horgan. 939534158665093122. Cecelia (now just TRY not getting the Simon & Garfunkle song stuck in your head for the rest of the day... :)). December 9, 2017. April 2, 2018.
  40. Web site: (#710) "The Eighth Witch". The Futon Critic. December 11, 2017.
  41. Web site: (#711) "Secret Garden". The Futon Critic. March 2, 2017.
  42. JaneEspenson. Jane. Espenson. 985039248767119360. Hedge Witch is the term that came to my mind. April 13, 2018. April 21, 2018.
  43. Web site: (#713) "Knightfall". The Futon Critic. March 14, 2017.
  44. Web site: (#716) "Breadcrumbs". The Futon Critic. April 2, 2018.
  45. Web site: Once Upon a Time casts Runaways star as Zelena's fiancé. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. January 23, 2018. January 23, 2018.
  46. Web site: (#717) "Chosen". The Futon Critic. April 9, 2018.
  47. Web site: (#715) "Sisterhood". The Futon Critic. March 26, 2018.
  48. Web site: Had an amazing two days on set working with the lovely Emma Booth!! @emmalovesluna. Tune into ABC or CTV tonight to see my episode of Once Upon A Time!!. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BiF41Z7BOiT . 2021-12-24 . limited. Leroux. Kyra. Instagram. April 27, 2018. May 2, 2018.
  49. emilyjtennant. Emily Tennant. 989924238613086208. Tune into tonight's episode of #OnceUponaTime #FlowerChild on ABC at 8/7c . April 27, 2018. May 2, 2018.
  50. Web site: (#719) "Flower Child". The Futon Critic. May 11, 2018.
  51. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Sean Maguire among returning faces for series finale. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. March 16, 2018. March 16, 2018.
  52. Web site: (#721) "Homecoming". The Futon Critic. May 8, 2018.
  53. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time': All the Stars — Including Jennifer Morrison and Ginnifer Goodwin — Returning for the Series Finale. Goldberg. Lesley. The Hollywood Reporter. March 21, 2018. March 21, 2018.
  54. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Sean Maguire, JoAnna Garcia and Robbie Kay Among Farewell Run's 9 Returns. Mitovich. Matt Webb. TVLine. March 16, 2018. March 16, 2018.
  55. Web site: (#722) "Leaving Storybrooke". The Futon Critic. May 14, 2018.
  56. RaphaelSbarge. Raphael Sbarge. 979071646874198018. You can go home again. #Storybrooke #Pongo #reunited #OnceUponATime. March 28, 2018. March 28, 2018.
  57. leearenberg. Lee Arenberg. 979439645196017666.
    1. TheWildCrew .. it's been an honor to toe the marks with you fine gents!!! @FaustinoDiBauda @RaphaelSbarge @davidavalon #OnceUponATime
    . March 29, 2018. April 4, 2018.
  58. Web site: Once Upon a Time Cast Shake-Up: Finale Will Accommodate Any Changes, No Story Will Feel 'Incomplete'. Matt. Mitovich. April 15, 2017. April 25, 2017. TVLine.
  59. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' Creators Explain the "Next Chapter" to Come in Season 7. Lindsay. MacDonald. May 14, 2017. July 7, 2017. The Hollywood Reporter.
  60. Once Upon a Time bosses explain new curse. Natalie. Abrams. July 25, 2017. August 29, 2017. Entertainment Weekly.
  61. 'Once Upon a Time' star Rebecca Mader previews Zelena's return. Abrams. Natalie. December 13, 2017. Entertainment Weekly.
  62. Web site: Once Upon a Time reveals Hook, Regina, Rumple alt-identities. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. August 6, 2017. August 9, 2017.
  63. Web site: Once Upon a Time's Jennifer Morrison Opens Up About Her Exit: 'Emma Had Reached a Really Beautiful Place'. Mitovich. Matt. TVLine. May 8, 2017. May 11, 2017.
  64. Web site: Once Upon a Time Creators/Cast Tease Rumple's Menacing New Identity, Regina/Henry Reunion and More. Mitovich. Matt. TVLine. August 6, 2017. August 6, 2017.
  65. Web site: Movie magic. Emma's long locks are back for one last day :) #steveston #onceuponatime #emmaswan. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BWvji-kF85Z . 2021-12-24 . limited. Morrison. Jennifer. Instagram. July 19, 2017. September 9, 2017.
  66. Web site: Once Upon A Time EPs Talk About The New "Book," "Roni" & Returning Faces. Byrne. Craig. KSite TV. August 9, 2017. August 9, 2017.
  67. Web site: Once Upon a Time @ Comic-Con: Season 7's Secret Roles Revealed, a 'Prominent LGBQT Storyline' and More. Swift. Andy. TVLine. July 22, 2017. July 22, 2017.
  68. NatalieAbrams. Natalie Abrams. 892447569900699648. Emma Booth joins Once Upon a Time as a witch whose identity will be revealed later in the season http://bit.ly/2tv8t4F @AdamHorowitzLA. August 1, 2017. August 1, 2017.
  69. KevinRyanII. Kevin J Ryan. 901229651770490880. Lov'in da #keithrichards inspired get up 4 da new prince in town. Fairytale land doesn't know wats comin @OnceABC #onceuponatime #abc. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017.
  70. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' First Look: Rapunzel Returns. Logan. Michael. TV Insider. November 10, 2017. November 10, 2017.
  71. Web site: Once Upon a Time: Rebecca Mader to Return for Multiple Season 7 Episodes. Mitovich. Matt. TVLine. September 20, 2017. September 20, 2017.
  72. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' Bosses Explain Season 7 Premiere's Biggest Mysteries and Reveals. Bentley. Jean. The Hollywood Reporter. October 6, 2017. October 7, 2017.
  73. Web site: 'Once Upon a Time' Season 7 Is 'Hopeful' and 'Sentimental,' EP Says. Logan. Michael. TV Insider. October 2, 2017. October 2, 2017.
  74. Web site: Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on This Is Us, Flash, New Girl, Arrow, Grey's Anatomy, The Blacklist, Supernatural and More. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. October 3, 2017. October 3, 2017.
  75. Web site: Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on New Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Big Little Lies, Flash, Walking Dead, Will & Grace and More. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. November 3, 2017. November 3, 2017.
  76. ChadRook. Chad Rook. 931288448295505920. Just found out that I will be joining the cast of #OnceUponATime!!! Can't wait for you all to see my character. ;). November 16, 2017. November 20, 2017.
  77. Web site: Once Upon a Time original cast member returning in final season. Abrams. Natalie. Entertainment Weekly. February 27, 2018. March 16, 2018.

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