Once Upon A Time is now into the second half of its fifth season and the fantasy drama has featured loads of fairytale and mythical characters over the years – in fact it’s featured so many character it’s nearly impossible to name them all. While many characters, such as Anna and Elsa, have had complete story arcs with a start and finish, there are plenty of characters who are introduced then just seem to be forgotten about.
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Cinderella
Cinderella was the focus of one of the earlier episodes of season one. In the fairytale world, Rumpelstiltskin wanted her baby for some reason and in the real world, Mr. Gold also wanted her baby and when she went into labor, Emma was able to make a deal with Mr. Gold and that was that, though we never did find out what he wanted her baby for.
2. Mulan
Mulan has had quite a bit to do and certainly has potential to feature in the show more, especially considering we haven’t had a flashback of her story yet. She most recently appeared in one episode in the first half of season five, where it was implied she was still in love with Aurora and couldn’t get over her – this itself is another plotline that seems to have been forgotten about.
3. Anton the Giant
Remember him? The last we saw of Anton, he was out in the bean fields and produced a magic bean to Ruby so she could travel to the Enchanted Forest. Actor Jorge Garcia is very popular, thanks in part to his role on Lost, and it’s a shame his character isn’t used more.
4. Bo Peep
Bo Peep has only appeared in one episode, the second of the fourth season, and is portrayed as a somewhat psychotic warlord. Her appearance went down really well with viewers, but it seems she was just destined for a single-episode role and hasn’t been mentioned since. She’s still in Storybrooke, so she could pop up soon, but the chances are slim.
5. Hansel & Gretel
Hansel & Gretel had an episode in season one devoted to them, though they haven’t been seen or mentioned since. At least Cinderella reappeared a few times after her episode…
6. The Mad Hatter
The Mad Hatter was a classic character introduced in the second half of season one. A hit with viewers, the Mad Hatter did get a full story arc – he got reunited with his daughter, though his absence since has been felt a lot more strongly than other characters’ absences. He didn’t even appear in the spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. There’s an explanation though: the actor has a busy Hollywood career and stars in the Captain America films as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier. This is one character the writers have had to forget.
7. Archie Hopper
Archie Hopper appeared quite a lot during seasons one, two and three and got plenty of backstory, though he only appeared once during the fourth season. He seems to have just faded into the background and pops up only to offer characters advice every so often.
8. King George
King George was a great non-magical villain who threatened David during the show’s second season and even destroyed the Mad Hatter’s magical hat so David couldn’t be reunited with Mary Margaret and Emma. David locked him up until he could decide what to do with him, though we haven’t seen King George since, so we’re guessing he’s still locked up, trying to think of a way to get back at David.
9. Astrid
Astrid was introduced as a love interest for Grumpy and an ally for the Blue Fairy, though while both Grumpy and the Blue Fairy have continued making appearances in the show, Astrid is nowhere to be seen. Later on, Grumpy is apparently single and Astrid is a no-show at the Blue Fairy’s funeral, so whatever happened to her?
