Season 3

This article contains episode summaries for the third season of Once Upon a Time.

Season Summary
In the U.S., original episodes of season three start airing on Sunday, September 29, 2013. The 22-episode season will be divided into two blocks of 11 episodes, one airing in the fall/winter of 2013, with the winter finale airing on December 8, 2013. The season will then resume on March 9, 2014, with the season finale airing on May 18, 2014. A special recap episode aired before the season premiere on September 29, 2013, and another one aired before the mid season premiere on March 9, 2014.

Overview
After Greg and Tamara take Henry to Neverland, Emma, Mary Margaret, David, Regina, Gold and Hook use the last magic bean available to them to follow the villains with the intent of saving the young man. But Neverland is a much darker place than we remember, and in order for our heroes to accomplish their mission, they'll have to face a foe more powerful than the Dark One himself. What does Peter Pan want with Henry? Can our heroes put aside their differences and work together? Will Aurora, Mulan and Prince Phillip be able to nurse Neal back to health and reunite him with his family? New fairytale characters will be revealed and old acquaintances will be revisited. So think of a wonderful thought... because this Neverland's going to be a fever dream that just won't break.

Cast
For a breakdown of the characters' appearances, check here.

Starring

 * Ginnifer Goodwin - Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White (22/22)
 * Jennifer Morrison - Emma Swan (22/22)
 * Lana Parrilla - Regina Mills/Queen Regina (22/22)
 * Josh Dallas - David Nolan/Prince Charming (22/22)
 * Emilie de Ravin - Belle French/Belle (17/22)
 * Colin O'Donoghue - Captain Hook (22/22)
 * Michael Raymond-James - Neal Cassidy/Baelfire (15/22)
 * Jared S. Gilmore - Henry Mills (19/22)
 * and Robert Carlyle - Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin (19/22)

Recurring Guest Stars

 * Beverley Elliott - Granny (12/22)
 * Sean Maguire - Robin Hood (12/22)
 * Robbie Kay - Peter Pan (11/22) 1
 * Lee Arenberg - Leroy/Grumpy (10/22) 2
 * Parker Croft - Felix (10/22)
 * Gabe Khouth - Tom Clark/Sneezy (10/22)
 * Rebecca Mader - Zelena (10/22)
 * David-Paul Grove - Doc (9/22)
 * Faustino Di Bauda - Walter/Sleepy (8/22)
 * Rose McIver - Tinker Bell (8/22) 3
 * Jeffrey Kaiser - Dopey (7/22)
 * Mig Macario - Bashful (7/22)
 * Michael Coleman - Happy (6/22)
 * Raphael Sbarge - Archie Hopper/Jiminy (6/22) 4
 * Keegan Connor Tracy - Mother Superior/Blue Fairy (6/22) 4
 * Raphael Alejandro - Roland (5/22)
 * Sarah Bolger - Aurora (5/22)
 * Jason Burkart - Little John (4/22)
 * Jack Di Blasio - Lost Boy (4/22)
 * JoAnna Garcia Swisher - Ariel (4/22)
 * Chris Gauthier - William Smee (4/22)
 * Meghan Ory - Ruby/Red Riding Hood (4/22)
 * Freya Tingley - Wendy Darling (4/22)
 * David Anders - Dr. Whale (3/22)
 * Julian Morris - Prince Phillip (3/22)
 * Jamie Chung - Mulan (2/22)
 * Giancarlo Esposito - Sidney Glass/Magic Mirror (2/22)
 * Christie Laing - Marian (2/22)
 * Tony Amendola - Marco/Geppetto (1/22)
 * Ethan Embry - Greg Mendell (1/22)
 * Anastasia Griffith - Kathryn Nolan/Abigail (1/22)
 * Sonequa Martin-Green - Tamara (1/22)

1 Also featured in archive footage in 3.19, accounting for 12 appearances.

2 Also featured in archive footage in 3.09, accounting for 11 appearances.

3 Also featured in archive footage in 3.12, 3.15 and 3.19, accounting for 11 appearances.

4 Also featured in archive footage in 3.12 and 3.19, accounting for 8 appearances.''

Trivia

 * The entire main cast from the second season returns with star billing with the sole exception of Meghan Ory (Ruby/Red Riding Hood), due to the actress' committment to another project. Additionally, former recurring guest star Michael Raymond-James (Neal Cassidy/Baelfire) is promoted to a series regular.
 * This is the only season to feature Raymond-James as a series regular.
 * Goodwin, Morrison, Parilla, Dallas, and O'Donoghue are the only actors to be featured in every episode this season.

Gallery
Gallery of photographic posters released to promote the season.