Season 5

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

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

Returning Cast Members

 * Series Regulars


 * Ginnifer Goodwin - Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White
 * Jennifer Morrison - Emma Swan
 * Lana Parrilla - Regina Mills/Queen Regina
 * Josh Dallas - David Nolan/Prince Charming
 * Emilie de Ravin - Belle Gold/Belle
 * Colin O'Donoghue - Killian Jones/Captain Hook
 * Sean Maguire - Robin Hood
 * Rebecca Mader - Zelena
 * Jared S. Gilmore - Henry Mills
 * Michael Socha - Will Scarlet
 * and Robert Carlyle - Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin


 * Guest Stars


 * Lee Arenberg - Leroy/Grumpy
 * Agnes Bruckner - Lily Page

New Cast Members

 * Unknown - Merlin
 * Unknown - King Arthur
 * Unknown - Queen Guinevere

Potential Storyline Information

 * Following the conclusion of the fourth season, many storylines were left unresolved, including:
 * The Dark One powers being transferred from Rumplestiltskin to Emma Swan, and what the future has in store for the two, as Rumple is now wiped clean of darkness, while it has all be transferred into the Savior, who disappears in a cloud of smoke.
 * Regina and Robin Hood moving forward with their relationship while Zelena remains in their lives, now pregnant with Robin's child.
 * What is to become of Isaac, who has been detained by David and Mary Margaret.
 * Lily deciding to search for her father.
 * The Apprentice's fate after absorbing such a large amount of darkness.
 * The state of Belle's relationship with Will, and if she has decided to reunite with Rumple.
 * Henry becoming the new Author, but snapping the magic quill, not wanting to be tasked with such responsibility.
 * The Sorcerer's identity being revealed as Merlin, and how he is the only one powerful enough to defeat the darkness which makes the Dark One.
 * Belle will confront Regina about taking her heart.
 * There will be a possibility to find a way to balance out Emma's lightness with Lily's darkness and revert what happened.
 * Two 11-episode arcs.
 * The quest to find Merlin.
 * Emma as the new Dark One, and how people cope with this.

Trivia

 * The entire main cast from the fourth season returns with star billing, while Rebecca Mader (Zelena) and Sean Maguire (Robin Hood) are also promoted to series regulars.

Gallery
Gallery of photographic posters released to promote the season.