Once Upon A Time Promises A Pregnant, Sword-Wielding Snow White

The new show from Lost producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will show a very different side to some famous fairy tale characters

Former Lost producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz spoke about their new fairytale-themed ABC show Once Upon A Time at this weekend’s Television Critics Association’s summer press tour in Beverly Hills, where they promised, “This is the first time we’ve shown Snow White with a sword and pregnant.”

Once Upon A Time takes place both in our world and a parallel fairytale, kicking off when Snow White/Sister Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming/John Doe (Josh Dallas) bring their long-lost daughter Emma (Jennifer Morrison) Storybrooke. It’s an attempt to break a curse cast by the Evil Queen/Regina (Lana Parrilla) that leaves other famous fairy tale characters trapped in time, unable to age and unaware of who they really are.

“[Disney] has been quite supportive in letting us do our interpretation of the characters,” Kitsis said Sunday at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour in Beverly Hills.

Horowitz and Kitsis emphasised that the series is not so much about the curse as the individual crises that each of the characters face.

“For us, the show isn’t about breaking the curse,” said Horowitz. “That’s part of it; the show is about these characters and what they’re going through.”

“We’re more interested in why the Evil Queen hates Snow White; why Grumpy is grumpy,” said Kitsis.

And in true Lost tradition, there will be flashbacks: “Every week!” confirms Katsis. “We love the idea of going back and forth and informing what the character is missing in their life.”

And that’s not the only onscreen Lost connection. When you see the show, check out what time the town clock is stuck at, and keep an eye on bumper stickers.

Once Upon a Time premieres in the States on Sunday 23 October.

Dave Golder
Freelance Writer

Dave is a TV and film journalist who specializes in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He's written books about film posters and post-apocalypses, alongside writing for SFX Magazine for many years.