What Happened to the Cast of 'Once Upon a Time'?
Fifteen years after its premiere, a look back at the lives and careers of the stars of the hit ABC fantasy drama.
It has been 15 years since the ABC fantasy drama Once Upon a Time first premiered in October 2011. Over seven seasons, the series explored the intersection of fairy tale characters and their real-world counterparts in Storybrooke, Maine. The show's premise centered on a curse cast by the Evil Queen, Regina Mills, which erased the memories of fairy tale characters, trapping them in Storybrooke. Their hope rested with Emma Swan, a bail bonds collector and the lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, who was sent away to break the curse.
The show, which blended fantasy, drama, and nostalgia, was a significant hit with its pilot episode drawing 12.93 million viewers. While many cast members were already established actors, Once Upon a Time significantly boosted their profiles and cultivated a dedicated fanbase. However, viewership declined in later seasons, leading to its cancellation after the seventh season, with the final episode airing in May 2018. Despite the show's end, it has found a new audience, with original viewers now sharing it with their children and continuing to engage with its fandom online.
Lana Parrilla (Regina Mills / The Evil Queen)
Lana Parrilla, 49, gained a substantial following for her portrayal of the villainous Regina Mills. Since the show, she has appeared in films such as The Tax Collector (2021) and The Lincoln Lawyer (2023), and the anthology series Why Women Kill. Parrilla also ventured into music, releasing dance tracks with DJ Glovibes. In August 2024, her Los Angeles home was the target of a trespassing incident, though she was out of town at the time. Personally, Parrilla was married to Fred Di Blasio in 2014, but announced their separation five years later. She is now reportedly in a relationship with actor Benjamin Clementine.
Ginnifer Goodwin (Mary Margaret Blanchard / Snow White)
Ginnifer Goodwin, 48, experienced a career breakthrough as Snow White and Storybrooke's Mary Margaret. After leaving Once Upon a Time at the end of season six, she lent her voice to Judy Hopps in Disney's Zootopia franchise. Goodwin also appeared in television series like The Twilight Zone and Heartstrings, and took a lead role in the dark comedy series Why Women Kill. During her time on Once Upon a Time, she met and fell in love with co-star Josh Dallas. They married in 2014 and have two sons. Goodwin has spoken about the importance of understanding, flexibility, and love in maintaining their relationship.
Josh Dallas (David Nolan / Prince Charming)
Josh Dallas, 47, starred as Prince Charming and his Storybrooke alter-ego, David Nolan. Following Once Upon a Time, he took on the role of Ben Stone in the NBC/Netflix drama Manifest from 2018 to 2023. Dallas also reprised his voice role as Frantic Pig in Zootopia and its sequel. He expressed gratitude for his time on Once Upon a Time, noting its continued resonance with audiences. Dallas is also set to appear in upcoming projects including The Hunting Party, We Were Liars, and the animated film Hexed.
Jennifer Morrison (Emma Swan)
Jennifer Morrison, 47, played Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. After Once Upon a Time, she appeared in series such as This Is Us and Will Trent. In 2016, Morrison launched her production company, Apartment 3C Productions, and directed her first feature film, Sun Dogs. She has also directed episodes of Euphoria and Dr. Death. Morrison has been married to actor Gerardo Celasco since 2022.
Emilie de Ravin (Belle French / Belle)
Emilie de Ravin, 44, known for her roles in Roswell and Lost, joined Once Upon a Time as Belle. Her personal life became a subject of public attention due to a reported affair with co-star Tom Ellis, which coincided with the breakdown of Ellis's marriage. De Ravin separated from her then-husband, Josh Janowicz, in 2013. Since the show, she has appeared in A Lover Scorned (2019) and True Colours (2022). She became engaged to director Eric Bilitch in 2016, and they have welcomed three children together.
Robert Carlyle (Mr. Gold / Rumplestiltskin)
Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, 65, has maintained a prolific career since playing Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin. His post-Once Upon a Time roles include The War of the Worlds (2019), the lead part in COBRA (2020-2023), and reprising his role as Gary 'Gaz' Schofield in The Full Monty TV adaptation (2023). Carlyle is also slated to appear in Toxic Town, Watson, and The Hack in 2025, and will play Jack Ruby in the upcoming crime drama November 1963. He is also set to join the cast of Line of Duty for its seventh installment and has reportedly been cast in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen series.
Chris Gauthier (William Smee / Smee)
Chris Gauthier had a recurring role as William Smee. Following Once Upon a Time, he appeared in A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019), Charmed (2021), and Joe Pickett (2023). Tragically, Gauthier passed away in February 2024 at the age of 48 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife and two sons.