Once Upon a Times diehard fans should prepare themselves.
If that sounds like a brand-new show, thats the point.
In a world where superheroes can reboot, we thought, Why not fairy tales?'
executive producer Edward Kitsis says, calling season 7 a requel half reboot, half sequel.
The format will still be split between Enchanted Forest flashbacks and present-day real-world Hyperion Heights.
Theres that aforementioned classic romance a la Snow and Charming between Cinderella and Henry.
However, the beloved returning trio have been radically reimagined thanks to that curse.
Regina is now a denim-clad bar ownernamed Roni, while Hook is a despondent copnamed Rogers.
Rumple, as ever, remains a mystery.
It really is like were starting a whole new show, ODonoghue says.
But it was important to understand the essence of those relationships to be able to do the job.
Its new energy, Parrilla says.
Thats exactly what the cast hopes the audience will do heading into this rebooted season.
Genuinely, the writing this season is some of the best Ive read, ODonoghue says.
Part of the fun with this was being able to start over, Kitsis says.
Once Upon a Timereturns Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
Check back Tuesday for our full Q&A with executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.
