| Once Upon a Time | |
|---|---|
| Season 7 | |
 DVD cover | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | October 6, 2017 – May 18, 2018 |
| Season chronology | |
The seventh and final season of the American ABC fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time was ordered on May 11, 2017.[1] It premiered on October 6, 2017, and consisted of 22 episodes, having aired on Fridays instead of Sundays in prior seasons.[2]
The season marked a significant change for the series, as it was announced at the end of the sixth season that the majority of the main cast members would not be returning in such capacity for the seventh. Lana Parrilla, Colin O'Donoghue and Robert Carlyle were the only ones remaining, while Rebecca Mader and Jared S. Gilmore returned in recurring capacities. Andrew J. West and Alison Fernandez were announced as new regulars in May 2017.[3] Dania Ramirez and Gabrielle Anwar were announced as additional regulars in July 2017.[4] In August 2017, it was announced that Mekia Cox had been promoted to series regular after initially joining the cast in July as recurring.[5]
The storyline was softly rebooted[6][7][8] with a main narrative led by an adult Henry Mills, set several years after last season's events.[9] In February 2018, it was announced the seventh season would serve as the final season of the series; the season and series concluded on May 18, 2018.[10]
Existing fictional characters introduced to the series during the season include Tiana, Mother Gothel, Eudora, Dr. Facilier, Prince Naveen, Madame Leota, and Captain Ahab. The season also introduced new iterations of various characters from previous seasons, including Cinderella, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, Anastasia, Rapunzel, Jack, Hansel, Gretel and the Blind Witch, as well as Alice, another version of whom previously appeared in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 11, 2017). "'Once Upon a Time' Renewed for Season 7 at ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
- ^ Macke, Johnni (July 5, 2017). "New 'Once Upon A Time' Tease Reveals Where The Series Will Pick Up In Season 7". People's Choice. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
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Tianawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "'Once Upon a Time' Renewed for Season 7 at ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. May 11, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
The reboot comes as Once remains a valuable property for ABC.
- ^ Times, Music (September 6, 2017). "'Once Upon A Time' Soft Reboot: Emma Swan Reunites With Hook & Finds Closure in Their Story". MusicTimes. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
The coming seventh season of "Once Upon a Time" will have a soft reboot and will embark on a new chapter.
- ^ "Once Upon a Time is back — but is it still magical?". Digital Spy. October 7, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
There was understandably some scepticism [sic] and worry when ABC announced that Once Upon a Time's seventh season would be a soft reboot, set many years after last spring's finale and featuring a mostly new cast.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 10, 2017). "'Once Upon A Time': Current Narrative To Wrap At End Of Season 6; Will There Be Season 7?". Deadline. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 6, 2018). "Once Upon a Time to end after season 7". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 6, 2018.