Main

• Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard
• Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan
• Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen / Regina Mills
• Josh Dallas as Prince Charming / David Nolan
• Emilie de Ravin as Belle / Lacey
• Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills
• Meghan Ory as Red Riding Hood / Ruby
• Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold
• Colin O'Donoghue as Captain Hook / Killian Jones^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Recurring

Guest

Leader characters in episodes

• 2x01 - All cast
• 2x02 - Regina Mills / Evil Queen
• 2x03 - David Nolan and Mary Margaret / Prince Charming and Snow White
• 2x04 - Mr. Gold / Rumplestiltskin
• 2x05 - Regina Mills / Evil Queen
• 2x06 - Emma Swan
• 2x07 - Ruby / Red Riding Hood

Development

On May 10, 2012, ABC ordered Once Upon a Time for a second season,^[1] which premiered on September 30, 2012.^[24]

Co-creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis spoke about the repercussions of the first season finale's events, stating, "Magic as we know always comes with a price and we are introducing it to a world where it has never been before and I think that's going to have unpredictable results. It's going to affect everybody this season because that's what's more fun." said Kitsis. On everyone in Storybrooke's memories returning Horowitz commented, "One of the things that's interesting to us to explore is this notion that just because the memories have returned does not mean that the past 28 years did not happen. Those memories, the Davids, the Mary Margarets, the Mr. Golds, all those people, who they were existed and what they did actually happened and those are the things that will have to be dealt with."^[25][26]

The show still bounced back-and-forth between the fairy-tale world and Storybrooke, although there were slight differences compared to season one.^[26] It was hinted that another form of narrative was introduced during the season.^[27]

Casting

In June 2012, it was reported that season one recurring actresses Meghan Ory (Red Riding Hood / Ruby) and Emilie de Ravin (Belle / Lacey) had both been promoted to series regulars for the second season.^[28][29] In July 2012, it was announced that Pretty Little Liars star Julian Morris would guest star as Prince Phillip,^[30] while Teen Wolf actor Sinqua Walls was cast as Sir Lancelot, a former member of the Round Table.^[31] In the same month, it was announced that The Tudors star Sarah Bolger and The Hangover Part II actress Jamie Chung had joined the recurring cast as Princess Aurora and Mulan.^[32][33] On August 3, 2012, The Rite actor Colin O'Donoghue booked the recurring role of Captain Killian "Hook" Jones, the prime antagonist of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan.^[34] O'Donoghue joined the main cast during the second half of the season.^[35] The same day, it was reported that True Blood's Michael Raymond-James had joined the season's recurring cast in an unknown role, described only as "mysterious".^[36] This was later revealed to be Neal Cassidy (Rumplestiltskin's son Baelfire, Emma Swan's ex-boyfriend and Henry Mills' father). Lost alum Jorge Garcia recurs as Anton the Giant, referenced from Jack and the Beanstalk. Garcia was originally set to appear in only one episode, but his character's role was later expanded.^[37][38] Actor Raphael Sbarge, who portrays Jiminy Cricket, was made part of the recurring cast this season, as opposed to being included in the first season's main cast.^[39] The L Word actress Rachel Shelley played the recurring role of Milah, Rumplestiltskin's wife.^[40] Eureka actor Christopher Gauthier recurred throughout the season as William Smee, Captain Hook's right-hand-man.^[41] In October 2012, Can't Hardly Wait star Ethan Embry joined the recurring cast as an unknown visitor to Storybrooke.^[42] Eion Bailey, who plays Pinocchio / August Booth, made guest appearances in episodes six and 18.^[43][44] Tony Perez (Prince Henry) and Alan Dale (King George / Albert Spencer) both made recurring appearances in some capacity throughout the season.^[39][45][46]

Actor Noah Bean reprised his role as Daniel, the Evil Queen's love-interest, during "The Doctor".^[47] The X-Files actress Annabeth Gish guest starred as Anita, the leader of a pack of werewolves, in "Child of the Moon".^[48] The Christmas Card actor Chad Michael Collins and 24 veteran Gregory Itzin appeared in "In the Name of the Brother" as Dr. Frankenstein's younger brother Gerhardt and Alphonse, the boys' father, respectively.^[49][50] Scream and Charmed actress Rose McGowan portrayed a young Cora in "The Miller's Daughter".^[51] Lesley Nicol, of Downton Abbey fame, was cast as Johanna in "The Queen Is Dead" which also featured Heroes vet Rena Sofer as Queen Eva, Snow White's mother. It was implicated that the role has the potential to become recurring.^[52] Caprica actor John Pyper-Ferguson guest starred in "Welcome to Storybrooke" as Kurt Flynn, a widower who longs to aid his son after experiencing the loss of his mother.^[53] Season one co-star Jamie Dornan also reprised his role as Sheriff Graham Humbert in the episode.^[54]

Kings actor Sebastian Stan had portrayed Jefferson / Mad Hatter in a recurring role since the first season and returned for three episodes of season two;^[55] he had since departed from the show with obligations to the Broadway play Picnic and his role as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was reported that ABC was set to recast the role with the potential for a possible spin-off based on the character.^[56] However, Stan's recasting was repudiated by series co-creator Adam Horowitz, saying that Stan "is a very busy man, I don't know when he will be making his way back toward us".^[57] He later confirmed that Stan would not be returning to the series in 2013.^[58]

Filming

Principal photography for the season began in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 16, 2012 and completed on April 5, 2013.^[59][60] The town of Steveston doubles as Storybrooke for the series.^[61]