The Fairy Tale Continues: 7 Once Upon A Time Actors And Their Surprising New Projects In 2025

The magic of Storybrooke may have ended on screen, but the careers of the Once Upon a Time actors are thriving in new and unexpected realms. Since the final curse was broken in 2018, the beloved ensemble cast—who brought iconic characters like Emma Swan, Snow White, the Evil Queen, and Captain Hook to life—have transitioned from the Enchanted Forest to major new film, television, and directing roles. As of December 2025, many of the show’s stars are headlining blockbuster sequels, true-crime dramas, and prestigious new series, proving their happily ever after is far from over.

This deep dive into the OUAT cast's current projects and recent career moves reveals how the stars of the hit ABC fantasy series are keeping the magic alive, from major 2025 movie releases to exciting new collaborations and fan convention reunions across the globe. Prepare to be amazed by what your favorite Storybrooke residents are up to today.

The Main Cast: From Storybrooke to the Big Screen and Beyond

The core ensemble of Once Upon a Time formed the heart of the show, delivering compelling performances that grounded the fantastical elements. Here is a comprehensive look at the actors who anchored the series and their latest professional endeavors.

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Jennifer Morrison (Emma Swan)

• Character Role: Emma Swan, The Savior, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming.
• Born: April 12, 1979 (Chicago, Illinois, USA).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Dr. Allison Cameron in House, Zoey Pierson in How I Met Your Mother.
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Acting, Directing, and Producing.
• Latest News: Morrison has increasingly focused on directing, a path she began while on OUAT. She received the Director Spotlight Award at the 2025 Astra TV Awards, recognizing her work behind the camera. She has also co-founded a food company called Amia, which focuses on products for migraine sufferers.
• Upcoming Projects: She continues to pursue directing gigs, with several new projects in development, showcasing her versatility beyond acting.

Lana Parrilla (Regina Mills / The Evil Queen)

• Character Role: Regina Mills, The Evil Queen, Mayor of Storybrooke.
• Born: July 15, 1977 (Brooklyn, New York, USA).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Sarah Gavin in 24, Trina Decker in Spin City.
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Television, Film, and Fan Conventions.
• Latest News: Lana Parrilla remains one of the most active cast members in the fan community, appearing at major events like Epic Con Savannah 2025 and ECCC 2025 alongside other OUAT stars.
• Upcoming Projects: She is confirmed to be working on a new project titled Synthetic. Additionally, she is part of the cast for the new series The Rainmaker, which she discussed at a recent convention panel.

Colin O'Donoghue (Captain Hook / Killian Jones)

• Character Role: Captain Hook / Killian Jones, the dashing pirate who becomes Emma's true love.
• Born: January 26, 1981 (Drogheda, Ireland).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Duke Philip in The Rite.
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Television and Voice Acting.
• Latest News: O'Donoghue has been a prominent figure at fan conventions, even addressing the possibility of an OUAT revival, stating that key cast members are open to the idea.
• Upcoming Projects: He has confirmed a role in the new series The Gray House, a project produced by Hollywood legends Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, marking a significant step in his post-pirate career.

Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard)

• Character Role: Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard, Emma Swan’s mother.
• Born: May 22, 1978 (Memphis, Tennessee, USA).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Margene Heffman in Big Love, Gigi in He's Just Not That Into You.
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Film, Television, and Voice Acting.
• Latest News: Goodwin was a key presence at the 2025 Disney Upfront red carpet, discussing her return to a major voice role.
• Upcoming Projects: She is reprising her beloved voice role as Judy Hopps in the highly anticipated Disney sequel, Zootopia 2, which is slated for release in 2025. She also starred in the CBS All Access series Why Women Kill (2019).

Josh Dallas (Prince Charming / David Nolan)

• Character Role: Prince Charming / David Nolan, Snow White’s true love and Emma Swan’s father.
• Born: December 18, 1978 (Louisville, Kentucky, USA).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Fandral in Thor (2011).
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Television.
• Latest News: Dallas is best known post-OUAT for his starring role as Ben Stone in the supernatural drama series Manifest, which ran until 2023. He and his wife, Ginnifer Goodwin, who he met on the set of OUAT, continue to be a prominent Hollywood couple.
• Upcoming Projects: While his list of upcoming 2025 acting projects is currently being updated, his focus remains on television and film roles. He is also a long-time supporter of the charity Operation Smile.

Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold / The Dark One)

• Character Role: Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold, the powerful Dark One and pawnshop owner.
• Born: April 14, 1961 (Glasgow, Scotland).
• Notable Roles Before OUAT: Begbie in Trainspotting, Gaz in The Full Monty.
• Post-OUAT Career Focus: Film and Television Drama.
• Latest News: Carlyle continues his prolific career in gritty, high-profile dramas, a stark contrast to his fairy tale persona. He recently completed the film North of Normal (2024).
• Upcoming Projects: He has several major projects lined up for 2025, including the film The Performance. Most notably, he is set to star alongside David Tennant in the new ITV true-crime drama series, The Hack, which is inspired by the phone hacking scandal.

The Enduring Legacy: Reunions and Revival Rumors in 2025

Despite the show concluding its seven-season run, the bond between the Once Upon a Time cast members and their dedicated fanbase remains incredibly strong. This connection is most evident in the frequent and well-attended cast reunions that continue to take place across the world, fueling ongoing speculation about a potential revival of the series.

The Convention Circuit: Storybrooke Comes to Life

The OUAT cast is one of the most popular draws at major comic conventions, often leading to impromptu reunions. In 2024 and 2025, several key actors have reunited on stage, much to the delight of fans. Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen), Sean Maguire (Robin Hood), and Rebecca Mader (The Wicked Witch, Zelena) have been a frequent trio, appearing together at events like the MCM x EGX 2024 reunion panel and C2E2 2025 in Chicago. These panels provide fans with fresh insights and behind-the-scenes stories from their time filming in Vancouver.

Colin O'Donoghue (Captain Hook) has also joined these reunions, often alongside Rebecca Mader and Sean Maguire, to discuss the highs and lows of playing their iconic fairy tale counterparts. These events serve as a powerful reminder of the show's cultural impact and the topical authority it still holds years after its finale. The continued willingness of the cast to participate in these gatherings is often cited as a positive sign for future projects.

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Addressing the "Once Upon a Time" Revival

The question of a revival, reboot, or sequel series is almost always the first query posed to the actors at any convention. While no official announcement has been made, the door remains open. Colin O'Donoghue has publicly addressed the possibility, confirming that key cast members are indeed open to reprising their roles should the right story and timing align. The concept of returning to Storybrooke, even for a limited series or a feature-length film, is a topic frequently discussed among the show's creators and stars, keeping the hope of a true "happily ever after" for the show alive.

Beyond the Main Characters: Key Entities and Fun Facts

The depth of Once Upon a Time came from its sprawling cast of characters, many of whom were played by talented actors who have also moved on to successful careers.

• Rebecca Mader (Zelena / The Wicked Witch): Mader’s portrayal of the deliciously wicked Zelena was a fan-favorite. She is highly active on the convention circuit, often reuniting with Lana Parrilla and Sean Maguire.
• Sean Maguire (Robin Hood): Maguire’s time as the heroic outlaw is a staple of the show. He continues to join his fellow cast members at major fan events in 2025.
• Jared S. Gilmore (Henry Mills): The original Henry, The Author, has primarily focused on his personal life and education since the show concluded.
• Andrew J. West & Alison Fernandez: The stars of the soft-reboot final season, Andrew J. West (Adult Henry Mills) and Alison Fernandez (Lucy Mills), have also continued their careers in television and film, carrying the torch of the show's final arc.

A fun, little-known piece of behind-the-scenes trivia that adds to the show's lore is that the creative team once considered casting the pop music icon Lady Gaga for the role of the Blue Fairy, highlighting the show's early ambition for surprising casting choices. This fact is a great example of the kind of creative decisions that went into building the magical world of OUAT.

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From Jennifer Morrison’s shift to directing and Robert Carlyle’s move to hard-hitting true-crime, to Ginnifer Goodwin’s return as Judy Hopps and Lana Parrilla’s new series Synthetic, the actors of Once Upon a Time have successfully navigated their post-Storybrooke careers. Their continued engagement with the fanbase through conventions in 2025 proves that the magic of this unique series and its memorable characters—The Savior, The Evil Queen, and Captain Hook—is still very much a part of the current entertainment landscape.