Once Upon a Time season 6
The sixth season of the American ABC fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time was ordered on March 3, 2016.[1] It premiered on September 25, 2016, and concluded on May 14, 2017.[2] The season is the last to feature the series' main storyline, with the seventh season seeing a soft reboot.[3] Due to this, original cast members Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Josh Dallas and Jared S. Gilmore, as well as long-time cast members Emilie de Ravin and Rebecca Mader, all departed as series regulars after the season;[4][5][6] all would make at least one appearance the following season.
Once Upon a Time
22
September 25, 2016 –
May 14, 2017
Existing fictional characters introduced to the series during the season include Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, the Count of Monte Cristo, Captain Nemo, Lady Tremaine, Beowulf, Tiger Lily and the Tin Man. The season also reintroduced Jafar and Dr. Arthur Lydgate, both of whom previously appeared in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
Premise[edit]
The residents of Storybrooke are faced with threats from the Evil Queen and Mr. Hyde, both with different agendas following the arrival of refugees from the Land of Untold Stories. It leads to events testing Emma's savior abilities that result in the arrival of the Black Fairy, thus beginning the final battle that is prophesied before the casting of the original Dark Curse. As dark and light collide, a new and darker curse is unleashed, leading to the fall of all the realms. The final battle is fought and won, leading to the heroes earning their happy beginnings. In the future, a new adventure begins for an adult Henry and his daughter Lucy.
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
Executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis announced that they were ending the half-season arc structure that was seen in seasons three through five, with Horowitz saying, "We’re also planning a 22-episode story as opposed to breaking it up into two halves this year. It has been really exciting and fun." Kitsis added: "We are changing around what we’re doing this year and going back to that season 1 mentality of small town stories and smaller arcs."[83][84] This season would focus on Storybrooke as the main setting,[85] but would also show new realms and an exploration of the Savior's mythology.[86] Kitsis and Horowitz hired directors from their Freeform series Dead of Summer, Ron Underwood, Norman Buckley and Mairzee Almas, alongside Michael Schultz, to helm several episodes of the season.[87] Jennifer Lynch directed the eighth episode of the season, "I'll Be Your Mirror".[88]
In January 2017, ABC president Channing Dungey had been the first to suggest that the current narrative of the show would end with season six, regardless of whether or not there is a season seven.[3] Shortly after this news, Jennifer Morrison revealed that the contracts for the original main cast members were expiring in April, expressing uncertainty about the future of the show and her participation in it beyond the current season.[89] Robert Carlyle also expressed that he'd have to make a decision about his future on the show by the end of that month.[90] In March 2017, several sources had reported that four of the current main cast members in particular - Morrison, Carlyle, Lana Parrilla, and Colin O'Donoghue - were in negotiations to renew their contracts for a potential seventh season.[91][92] In April 2017, Horowitz and Kitsis confirmed that a group of characters will indeed have their stories wrapped up by the end of the season in acknowledging the potential cast changes, saying: "We planned this finale from the beginning of the year, so whoever stays and whoever goes... all those questions have already been dealt with. The audience does not have to fear [anything feeling] incomplete."[93] On May 8, Morrison confirmed that she had declined an offer to remain on the show and that the sixth season would be her last, signaling the end of Emma Swan's time on the show as the main protagonist.[4] On May 11, Rebecca Mader announced that she would also be leaving the show at the end of the season, citing creative decisions beyond her control.[5] On May 12, season six was announced to be the last for four additional main actors: Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Jared Gilmore, and Emilie de Ravin.[6] The season finale revealed that Henry Mills would remain a series protagonist, with the setting shifting to a later time period in which he is portrayed as an adult by Andrew J. West.[94]