Once Upon A Time has been cancelled for MANY months, and ABC has finally admitted the story will not continue Season 8.
Speaking to EW, series creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz didn’t pretend that the show’s not-so-secret cancellation came as a shock:
Kitsis: Listen, we love this show, we were happy to continue going on, but collectively they felt that, after seven years and 156 episodes, it was time. For us, we’re like, “It’s a hell of a run.” We never thought we’d get to seven episodes, let alone seven years.
Horowitz: It wasn’t like it was a shocking phone call. We’ve had conversations for a while about what this year would be, and whether it would go on or not, and if this could be the end, so we’ve been prepared for this for a while. The network has been incredible partners with us the whole way, as has the studio. Ultimately, it’s also a business, so it becomes about, “Is it financially viable to keep going forward?” so there’s all that kind of stuff, stuff that we generally don’t deal with because we’re just focused mostly on the creative. We reached that point where it’s like, “Okay, now it’s time to wrap it up. This has been an amazing 156 episode-run, and let’s all be proud of what we’ve done and try to wrap it up.”
Despite being cancelled in May 2017, Kitsis says they still had a plan for Once Season 8, in case ABC reversed course:
We did have a plan for a potential season 8 just because, as I said, we went into the year knowing one of two things were going to happen, so throughout the year, you don’t ever want to be surprised if you can, so we had a plan for season 8, but that’s okay.
As for the series finale, the duo insist it will be “satisfying” but wont be ribbon-tied.
Could Once resurrect in future years? The pair admit they have no immediate plans to revive show, but aren’t ruling out an eventual reboot or spinoff, adds Kitsis:
“Right now, I guess, we are putting it to bed, and we’re going to be looking for what’s next. But if there was a clever enough idea for a spinoff or something else to do, I doubt we would be averse to it, because Once is our baby. But we have no plans to do it.”
Are you sad Once is cancelled? Is news of the show’s demise your happy ever after? Hoping for a future reboot or spinoff?
Erika says
To the Creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz as well as ABC I am Truly Saddened by the decision to Cancel or not even try like a Reboot of Once Upon A Time :(. You could’ve tried to continue on at least with Henry, Lucy, Jacinda and their story within his book that he had been writing all these years. You have so many more stories to tell with new Cast of Characters, including of which that Captain Hook is Alice’s Father :O. I mean you just do not know how much this Show & all of these different Characters have meant to me over that last 7-8 yrs. This show takes me on a different journey every week & brings back so many childhood memories. This has been my absolute favorite Television Show for many yrs, I Truly Wish you all would reconsider! I hope there will be More Once Upon A Time in My near Future <3. Thank You for so many Awesome Characters & 156 Amazing Episodes.
Joe Sweeney says
Maybe in 2019-20, I think Adam and Howard should work together to make a spin-off series based of OUAT. And to be pitched around the networks and hope for a straight-to-series order.
TVshowPilot says
As sad as it is to see Once Upon a Time being canceled, it was kind of expected since the ratings for the show haven’t been the best for a while now. And it is way too soon for a reboot. Let at least a few years pass before start talking about any sort reboot. I would, however, be down for a spin-off. Sure Once Upon a Time in Wonderland didn’t do well, but maybe something with one of the other supporting characters of the show could work. Once Upon a Time in Agrabah could be cool and look visually stunning as well. And with the Aladdin live-action movie debuting next year, it might just work too!
HYDE says
I would like the show to continue. So many more stories to tell.