Season 5

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

Season Summary
In the U.S., original episodes of season five started airing on Sunday, September 27, 2015. The 22-episode season is divided into two blocks of 11 episodes, the first airing in the fall/winter of 2015. The season will resume in 2016, with the remaining 11 episodes. A special recap episode aired before the season premiere on September 27, 2015.

Overview
Fans this season are invited to join Emma Swan, Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, Rumplestiltskin, Belle and all the other resident fairytale characters of Storybrooke and beyond as they cope with the savior's new role as as the Dark One and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot, and along the way it will bring many surprises, including encounters with the brave and headstrong warrior princess Merida. As the season continues, new fairytale characters will be revealed and old acquaintances will be revisited. Not everyone can be trusted, but one thing remains true: you never give up on the people you love...

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

Starring
1 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 18 appearances; also played the role of Prince James in 5.12. 2 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 14 appearances. 3 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 16 appearances.
 * Ginnifer Goodwin - Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White (18/18)
 * Jennifer Morrison - Emma Swan/Dark Swan (17/18)
 * Lana Parrilla - Regina Mills/Queen Regina (17/18)
 * Josh Dallas - David Nolan/Prince Charming (17/18) 1
 * Emilie de Ravin - Belle Gold/Belle (13/18) 2
 * Colin O'Donoghue - Killian Jones/Captain Hook (17/18)
 * Jared S. Gilmore - Henry Mills (16/18)
 * Rebecca Mader - Zelena/Wicked Witch (12/18)
 * Sean Maguire - Robin Hood (13/18)
 * and Robert Carlyle - Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin (15/18) 3

Recurring Cast
1 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 9 appearances. 2 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 8 appearances. 3 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 6 appearances. 4 Also featured in archive footage in 5.09, accounting for 3 appearances. 5 Also featured in archive footage in 5.10, accounting for 3 appearances. 6 Also featured in archive footage in 5.05, accounting for 2 appearances.
 * Liam Garrigan - King Arthur (10/18)
 * Beverley Elliott - Granny (8/18)
 * David-Paul Grove - Doc (8/18) 1
 * Joana Metrass - Queen Guinevere (8/18)
 * Lee Arenberg - Leroy/Grumpy (7/18) 2
 * Michael Coleman - Happy (7/18)
 * Greg Germann - Hades (7/18)
 * Elliot Knight - Merlin (6/18)
 * Amy Manson - Merida (6/18)
 * Faustino Di Bauda - Sleepy (5/18) 3
 * Gabe Khouth - Sneezy (5/18) 3
 * Mig Macario - Bashful (5/18) 3
 * Sinqua Walls - Lancelot (5/18)
 * Emma Caulfield - Blind Witch (4/18)
 * Victoria Smurfit - Cruella De Vil (4/18)
 * Ingrid Torrance - Nurse Ratched (4/18)
 * Meghan Ory - Ruby/Red Riding Hood (3/18)
 * Raphael Alejandro - Roland (2/18)
 * Jamie Chung - Mulan (2/18)
 * Jeffrey Kaiser - Dopey (2/18) 4
 * Robbie A. Kay - Peter Pan (2/18)
 * Eric Keenleyside - Moe French/Maurice (2/18)
 * Keegan Connor Tracy - Mother Superior/Blue Fairy (2/18) 4
 * Timothy Webber - Sorcerer's Apprentice (2/18) 5
 * David Anders - Dr. Whale/Viktor Frankenstein (1/18)
 * Giancarlo Esposito - Magic Mirror (1/18)
 * Barbara Hershey - Cora (1/18) 6
 * Tony Perez - Prince Henry (1/18)
 * Michael Raymond-James - Neal Cassidy/Baelfire (1/18)

Writers

 * Andrew Chambliss (5 Episodes)
 * Dana Horgan (4 Episodes)
 * Adam Horowitz (4 Episodes)
 * Edward Kitsis (4 Episodes)
 * Jerome Schwartz (4 Episodes)
 * Tze Chun (3 Episodes)
 * Jane Espenson (3 Episodes)
 * David H. Goodman (3 Episodes)
 * Bill Wolkoff (1 Episode)

Directors

 * Romeo Tirone (5 Episodes)
 * Ralph Hemecker (3 Episodes)
 * Eagle Egilsson (2 Episodes)
 * Alrick Riley (2 Episodes)
 * Bill Gierhart (1 Episode)
 * Geofrey Hildrew (1 Episode)
 * Gwyneth Horder-Payton (1 Episode)
 * Eriq La Salle (1 Episode)
 * Steve Pearlman (1 Episode)
 * Ron Underwood (1 Episode)

Trivia

 * The entire main cast from the fourth season returns with star billing with the sole exception of Michael Socha (Will Scarlet), while Rebecca Mader (Zelena/Wicked Witch) and Sean Maguire (Robin Hood) are promoted to series regulars.
 * Ginnifer Goodwin (Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White) is the only actor to be featured in every episode this season, thus far.
 * Due to the second half of the season being set primarily in the Underworld, all of its title cards feature their respective subject amid the land's red skies.

Gallery
Gallery of photographic posters released to promote the season.