There are some shows that just don’t seem like they have the story to stick around for more than a season or two, and the unlikely premise of ABC’s Once Upon a Time felt like one that could wear out its charm sooner rather than later. At it happens, however, ABC found a hit in the retelling of classic fairy tales and Disney stories in Once Upon a Time. Now, show creator Adam Horowitz has good news for fans: the show has officially been renewed for a sixth season ahead of its milestone 100th episode.
Adam Horowitz’s tweet breaking the news about Season 6 comes as something of a surprise. A renewal in early March is more than most television aficionados can hope for with some of their favorite shows, and Once Upon a Time got off to such a rocky ratings start in Season 5 that the future felt quite uncertain. Now, it should be much easier to enjoy the rest of the fifth season with the knowledge that Emma, Regina, and the Charmings will be back for another year of magical shenanigans.
Of course, that’s assuming that most of the main characters don't die (and stay dead), but Once Upon a Time has proven capable of balancing a large ensemble cast. Frankly, the show could probably stand to kill off a few characters without tanking its ratings.
One character whose fate may well be decided in the upcoming 100th episode is none other than Killian Jones, who is perhaps better known as Captain Hook. Considering there will likely be a lot of action in attempting to restore the currently dead Hook back to life in Storybrooke, it would be a shame if we didn’t either get to see him back among the living or Emma and Co. dealing with the fallout of losing him for good.
Even if Once Upon a Time does the unthinkable and leaves Hook dead, the show has introduced plenty of new characters in Season 5. Camelot came into play in a big way with King Arthur and Guinevere, Hercules and Megara brought Hades onto the scene, and Scottish archer princess Merida was a highlight of the first half of the season. Between the new characters, the old characters, and the characters who may or may not be coming back from the dead, the Once Upon a Time ensemble still had plenty more story to offer.
The show has been on hiatus since way back in early December, so its upcoming return for its 100th episode on the heels of the renewal news means that fans have a lot to be happy about regardless of where Hook ends up. To catch what happens next for the whole crew in Storybrooke, check out the midseason premiere of Once Upon a Time on March 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. And to see when everything else is premiering in the next couple of months, check out our midseason TV schedule.
