Once Upon a Time entertained audiences for seven years, giving us familiar characters and putting them in unfamiliar situations. Many viewers had grown up loving the Disney animated movies and eagerly tuned in to watch their favorite fairy tale characters being brought to live-action and modernized in unexpected ways.
The characters were so loved, though, that the casting of each one had to be absolutely perfect or the actor would stick out like a sore thumb. Not only are the characters iconic, but the original performances - though primarily given by voice actors - will never be forgotten by those who grew up watching them.
ABC (of course, owned by Disney) had an arsenal of iconic characters to choose from, and the network truly emptied the toy box over the course of seven seasons.
Known for bringing in fresh talent, Once Upon a Time gave a platform for fantastic newcomers to shine, but also weaker beginners to crumble. With literally dozens upon dozens of characters (and thus actors and actresses portraying them), there was no lack of both great and underwhelming performances for viewers to evaluate.
Looking back at the now-canceled drama, everyone in the cast played a vital role in the show's many successes and failures. We may not be getting an eighth season of the beloved fantasy romp, but that won’t stop us from reminiscing on what came before.
Let’s get down to business. Here are 10 Casting Decisions That Hurt Once Upon A Time (And 10 That Saved It).
Hurt: Dania Ramirez – Cinderella 2.0/Jacinda Vidrio
After many employees of Once Upon a Time, in front of and behind the camera, decided they wouldn’t be coming back for a seventh season after six with the show, many were surprised when the network did a sort of “soft reboot.”
Bringing in Latina actress Dania Ramirez as Cinderella was a bold and terrifically progressive choice. It would have made history had reception to her have been positive; alas, it wasn’t.
Ramirez’s lackluster delivery of lines and uninspired expressions made her almost “trendy” to dislike. The actress' performance negated the daring casting, but the attempt was still noble.
Saved: Marilyn Manson – The Shadow
One of the strangest characters from Disney’s fund to make an appearance on the show was The Shadow. Commonly referred to as “Pan’s Shadow,” the creature isn’t exactly as its name suggests. The Shadow is a living entity (separate from Peter Pan) who resides in Neverland, though is able to cross between worlds.
Marilyn Manson was chosen to voice the mysterious and dark figure. Manson’s a world renowned musician who has garnered four Grammy nominations during his decades-long musical career.
Those familiar with the singer’s on-stage persona understood the reason for the peculiar decision to have him play The Shadow.
In a show that’s known for playing it reasonably safe with their casting of actors/actresses, it was a welcome surprise to see such an unorthodox addition, even in a single episode guest role.
18. Hurt: Liam Garrigan – King Arthur
Some may say his portrayal of the legendary king was superb as it landed him the same role in the Transformers: The Last Knight, but that’s also a Transformers film.
Liam Garrigan’s 11-episode spell in season five was met by fans with criticism. The iconic king was reduced to an emotional and underdeveloped side character.
Garrigan’s casting was by no means exceptional, but fans gave him the benefit of the doubt early on. That benefit quickly ran dry as viewers learned that the actor wasn’t able to mesh with the other performances. It's an unfortunate result, for King Arthur’s character could have been so much fun to explore.
Saved: Ginnifer Goodwin – Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White
Starting OUAT immediately following her five season stint on HBO’s Big Love, Ginnifer Goodwin plays Mary Margaret Blanchard in Storybrooke as well as fan favorite Snow White in the Enchanted Forest. Snow’s optimistic take on life brings a light to the show that helps establish a sense of hope; a welcomed emotion at times in the real world.
Goodwin’s role was such a breath of fresh air.
Her tenderness and courteousness gave Snow White the characteristics so many have grown to know.
Also, her real-life marriage to actor Josh Dallas (David Nolan/Prince Charming) brought an authentic take to the relationship.
Hurt: Greg Germann – Hades
The fifth season took us to the underworld where we met the ruler of the land: Hades.
This reveal would have been absolutely riveting had the show’s casting director found a suitable actor to play the mythological being. Regrettably they brought in someone who doesn’t hold a candle to James Woods’ exemplary performance in Disney's animated Hercules.
The actor’s portrayal, though effective at times, didn’t match the tone the show had established for the story.
The underworld was a fun and well thought-out change of scenery. It’s just a pity the show couldn’t find the right actor to rule over it.
Saved: Giancarlo Esposito – Magic Mirror/Sidney Glass
One of the biggest names in television to appear on the show, Giancarlo Esposito brought his powerful presence to the fantasy series. Esposito portrayed Sidney Glass, a reporter for the local paper in Storybrooke as well as Regina’s Magic Mirror.
Esposito rose to fame on the small screen for his role as Gus in the AMC hit Breaking Bad, even earning an Emmy nomination for the part. His tenure on OUAT began immediately after his time on Breaking Bad came to an end.
Esposito’s addition to the cast was a shift from the newcomers who made up most of the cast.
Bringing the Danish born actor aboard undoubtedly brought a few of his fans with him, but also brought a proven performer to a cast that, at times, could use one.
Hurt: Georgina Haig – Queen Elsa
An issue with a show like OUAT is that the actors are constantly playing against many iconic performances before them; a fact that undoubtedly hurt Georgina Haig’s performance as Queen Else.
Elsa, who has no Storybrooke counterpart, wasn't given a lot of powerful scenes for Haig to show her strengths, but the actress' performance wasn’t fit for such a popula, and timely character.
It's not entirely her fault, as trying to live up to Idina Menzel’s iconic voice performance is a tough task.
Frozen is one of the biggest animated films in recent memory and bringing the most popular character from it to the ABC drama was a brilliant capitalization. Haig’s sci-fi roots weren’t bringing much of an already established fan base to the program, but everyone was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Saved: Sebastian Stan – Jefferson/The Mad Hatter
Sebastian Stan’s short turn at the end of the first season was a memorable one.
Those who think Stan’s casting was just a stunt to capitalize on his MCU fame have to that his OUAT period was less than a year after we got to know him as Bucky in Captain America: The First Avenger.
The Mad Hatter is a wonderfully fun character that gave Stan a chance to stray from his usual tormented roles.
The native Romanian brought a fresh spirit to the show. His quick rise to fame meant that OUAT didn’t have the expenses to afford the movie star, thus not having him return after the first season.
Hurt: Jessy Schram – Cinderella/Ashley Boyd
It was truly shocking when Cinderella - one of the most popular Disney princesses - was only given four episodes in the history of the show, not counting the “soft reboot” of season 7.
Schram’s Cinderella/Boyd only appeared in one to two episodes in a few seasons, and didn't make much of an impact.
Schram’s act never felt authentic, nor suited to the show. Her performance was no match for some of the great acting by some of the season regulars.
Cinderella is such a household name, thathaving her as a regular character on the show would have brought it a larger audience. It’s just a shame the actress wasn’t able to shine. Then again, neither was the second Cinderella.
Saved: Rebecca Mader – Zelena/Kelly West
After the success of the play Wicked it was almost certain that the character of the Wicked Witch of the West would have a titillating role that any actress would be lucky to scoop up. In walked Rebecca Mader.
With a career full of guest star appearances in TV and small ing roles in movies, OUAT finally gave Mader the break she deserved.
Her backstory, revealing a bitter jealousy of Regina, gave an already intricate character so much more room to grow as a villain. Mader would stay with the cast through the seventh season, acting as a beacon of hope that the retelling could work with some familiar faces.