Discover Storybrooke With Our In-Depth Look At Once Upon a Time
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
March 27, 2026
Everything you need to know about the cult-favorite fairy-tale drama, including key characters, episode count, and how to stream it all on Disney+
Welcome to Storybrooke, Maine, where fairy tale legends hide in plain sight and happily ever after comes with a catch. Once Upon a Time blurs the lines between fable and reality, bringing well-known storybook characters to life as you’ve never seen them before. The best part? There are over 150 bewitching episodes available now. Before you start streaming, find out all about the plot, cast, and what makes the show so enchanting.
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All About Once Upon a Time & Why It Still Casts A Spell
What is Once Upon a Time about?
10-year-old adoptee Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) tracks down his biological mother, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and brings her to his hometown of Storybrooke, Maine, setting off much more than a simple reunion.
Henry tells Emma that the town’s inhabitants are really fairy-tale characters who were transported from their world to ours by his adoptive mother, also known as the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla). Stripped of the memories of their true identities and past lives, and stuck in a town where time is frozen, the people of Storybrooke have unknowingly spent 28 years under a wicked spell. Full of hope, Henry believes Emma is the one who can break the curse.
Emma is skeptical of Henry’s claims, but stays in Storybrooke to continue to bond with him. As she settles in, she quickly becomes entangled in the close-knit community’s dynamics. A parallel storyline reveals what happened in the fairy-tale characters’ lives before the curse took hold. Can Henry convince Emma that magic is real and get her to join the fight against darkness before it’s too late?
Over the seasons, as hopes and loyalties are tested, more legendary characters enter the story, and new villains pose escalating threats.
When did Once Upon a Time come out?
The first episode aired on ABC on October 23, 2011.
How many seasons and episodes did Once Upon a Time have?
The show had 7 seasons, totalling 156 episodes packed with fantastical drama, mystery, and romance, all ready for you to binge on Disney+.
When was the finale of Once Upon a Time?
The final episode, titled “Leaving Storybrooke,” aired on ABC on May 18, 2018.
Why is Once Upon a Time so beloved by fans?
Blending reality with familiar and new fairy-tale characters and mysteries that unravel over time, the show hooked audiences from episode one. Featuring parallel storylines set in two worlds, each episode exposes more about the characters’ pasts, gradually laying the pieces of the puzzle and revealing what’s really going on in Storybrooke.
Where was Once Upon a Time filmed?
For the most part, the show was shot around Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. Production locations included studio lots in the area and Steveston Village in Richmond, which served as the main Storybrooke location.
Once Upon a Time’s Cast & Characters Who Bring The Magic
Snow White / Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin)
About The Character
Mary Margaret is Henry’s kind and dedicated teacher in Storybrooke.
However, her real identity is Snow White, based on the character from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Her marriage to Prince Charming was the catalyst for the Evil Queen’s decision to curse her fellow fairy-tale characters. Mary Margaret and Snow White both possess an inner strength fueled by hope and the belief that we can all be better.
Where You’ve Seen Ginnifer Goodwin Before
Goodwin played Gigi in the 2009 romcom He’s Just Not That Into You. She also voices Judy Hopps in Zootopia and the 2025 sequel, Zootopia 2. Read all about Zootopia 2 in this article.
Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle)
About The Character
Mr. Gold is Storybrooke’s most influential and cunning businessman. He builds his success on a pragmatic and calculating philosophy, and his flair for the dramatic made him a notable presence in town. His fairy-tale persona, Rumplestiltskin, is an unscrupulous deal-maker who lacks allegiance to anyone and offers his magical services to the highest bidder. A complex character, he often knows more than he’s letting on.
Where You’ve Seen Robert Carlyle Before
Perhaps best known for his role in the 1997 movie The Full Monty, Carlyle also starred in the 2023 follow-up FX show The Full Monty (Hulu) and played one of the leads in the 28 Days Later sequel, 28 Weeks Later (Hulu).*
Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison)
About The Character
Emma is the fiercely independent bail bondsperson at the center of this fantastical mystery. She’s resilient and self-reliant, but upon meeting Henry, finds new connection and purpose. Learning to trust new people isn’t something that comes naturally to her, and Henry’s seemingly-outlandish claims about the true nature of the town are initially outside her realm of belief.
Where You’ve Seen Jennifer Morrison Before
Morrison had a part in 2005’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Hulu), and was a recurring guest star on How I Met Your Mother (Hulu).*
The Evil Queen / Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla)
About The Character
Regina is Storybrooke’s polished, intimidating mayor and Henry’s adoptive mother. Despite her tough exterior, she has a deep desire for connection and family.
The Evil Queen is, well, evil. But it wasn’t always that way.
Experiencing loss triggered her fear of powerlessness and fueled a jealous rage. In order to ensure she’d be the only one with a happy ending, the Evil Queen put a curse on the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest.
Where You’ve Seen Lana Parrilla Before
Parrilla played counter-terrorism analyst Sarah Gavin in season 4 of 24 (Hulu).*
Captain Hook / Killian Jones (Colin O’Donoghue)
About The Character
Charismatic Killian Jones, better known as Captain Hook, enters the show in season 2. A pirate with a complex moral code, there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s haunted by his past and determined to get revenge.
Where You’ve Seen Colin O’Donoghue Before
O’Donoghue appeared opposite Anthony Hopkins in the movie The Rite and guest-starred on the animated show, The Great North (Hulu).*
More Once Upon a Time Characters
Season 1 also features appearances by Jamie Dornan as the Huntsman and Sheriff Graham Humbert; Giancarlo Esposito as Genie, Magic Mirror, and Sidney Glass; and Josh Dallas as Prince Charming and David Nolan.
Once Upon a Time Seasons & Episodes: Your Rewatch Roadmap
Spoiler Alert!
Be warned, this section contains some spoilers for each season of Once Upon a Time.
Season 1
Episodes: 22
Season Premiere: “Pilot”
Season Finale: “A Land Without Magic”
Emma Swan arrives in Storybrooke, facing claims about its magical reality, beyond her wildest dreams. With dual storylines set in Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest, we see Emma go from skeptic to savior, ultimately freeing Snow White and the other fairy-tale characters from the Evil Queen’s curse.
Season 2
Episodes: 22
Season Premiere: “Broken”
Season Finale: “And Straight on ‘til Morning”
After the curse is broken, the town of Storybrooke is flooded with magic. As characters grapple with their fairy-tale memories merging with their Storybrooke lives, Emma and Snow get pulled into the Enchanted Forest. Outsiders Greg and Tamara arrive in Storybrooke, and Regina’s mother, Cora, poses a new threat. Captain Hook, seeking revenge, enters the story, and more is revealed about Rumplestiltskin’s past and motivations.
Season 3
Episodes: 22
Season Premiere: “The Heart of the Truest Believer”
Season Finale: “There’s No Place Like Home”
Split into two volumes, the season starts with Emma and the others traveling to Peter Pan’s Neverland to rescue Henry, but their actions trigger unforeseen consequences in Storybrooke. In the second half of the season, Zelena (the Wicked Witch of the West) makes an entrance, and time travel stakes set up the next season.
Season 4
Episodes: 23
Season Premiere: “A Tale of Two Sisters”
Season Finale: “Operation Mongoose Part 2”
Anna and Elsa from Frozen join the cast, along with the Snow Queen, who has ties to Emma’s past. Later in the season, the story introduces a new character, the Author, raising questions about who controls stories, whether anyone is truly irredeemable, and the real meaning of a happy ending. At the end of the season, the Queens of Darkness loom large, and the unleashing of the Darkness sets up the season 5 storyline.
Season 5
Episodes: 23
Season Premiere: “The Dark Swan”
Season Finale: “An Untold Story”
In order to save the others, Emma absorbs the Darkness and becomes the Dark Swan. Hoping to undo this, she embarks on a quest to Camelot. The story introduces the Underworld, ruled by Hades, where grief and unfinished business block paths forward. As the season wraps up, another new realm, the Land of Untold Stories, is introduced.
Season 6
Episodes: 22
Season Premiere: “The Savior”
Season Finale: “The Final Battle Part 2”
As new characters from the Land of Untold Stories enter Storybrooke, the plot moves toward a prophesied final battle. A concoction from Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde splits Regina and the Evil Queen into two separate people. When the Black Fairy enters the fray, it sets the stage for a final standoff between good and evil. As long-running arcs move towards resolution, belief, sacrifice, and the idea of writing your own destiny are tested.
Season 7
Episodes: 22
Season Premiere: “Hyperion Heights”
Season Finale: “Leaving Storybrooke”
The final season takes place in Hyperion Heights, Washington, when a new curse creates the Seattle neighborhood. Using a parallel-stories approach similar to season 1, a now-adult Henry (Andrew J. West), his family, and characters from previous seasons must once again fight to defeat dark forces.
Where To Watch Once Upon a Time
You can stream all 7 seasons of Once Upon a Time on Disney+ now.
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More Movies & Shows With Original Takes On Classic Stories And Characters
Find your next watch, featuring novel interpretations of classic tales, in our article on Live-Action Movies, Retellings & Sequels To Stream On Disney+. For an anime twist on classic fairy tales, read more about Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation.
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