Facts From a TV Junkie: 'Once Upon a Time'

Hello all! Chances are if you're reading this it means you, much like myself, are addicted to TV. You just can't ever get enough of that small screen action! Well, I'm here to tell you that I feel your pain and would like to help you in your noble quest for TV knowledge, which is why I've taken it upon myself to create this fun, weekly feature. Every week, I will dig up new and interesting facts about a show and share them with you right here. So sit back, relax, and let the trivia madness commence!

Now, given the fact that it's the Monday right after a long holiday weekend, it's going to take quite a very special bit of TV fun to get us all out of our post-vacation funk. An impossible feat? Not if you have a little bit of magic on your side, dearies. Of course, I'm referring to ABC's favorite fairytale drama, 'Once Upon a Time.' From evil queens to epic love stories, this show manages to spin storylines into gold each and every week. However, there's still so much we can learn about our favorite storybook characters. But just remember — all magic knowledge comes with a price!

Did You Know:

1. The character names are usually linked in some way to their fairytale counterpart.

Okay, so I know this isn't exactly news to you guys given that some of these are made pretty obvious. (Mr. Gold is Rumpelstiltskin; Sidney Glass is the Magic Mirror; Archie Hopper is Jiminy Cricket — we get it, writers!) But some of them were a little more subtle and therefore much more interesting. For example, Regina is a Late Latin and Modern Italian feminine noun that means "Queen," which seems pretty fitting. Also, the name "Mary Margaret" is based on the actual woman who was believed to be the inspiration of the Snow White character whose full name was "Maria Sophia Margaretha Catharina Freifräulein Von Erthal."

2. Katee Sackhoff auditioned for the role of Emma Swan.

And given that she auditioned five separate times, I assume that means she actually came really close to getting the part. To be honest, I don't hate the idea. I mean, who better to play a savior of magic than a former 'Battlestar Galactica' member? (The answer is no one.) In the end, however, producers wound up going with Jennifer Morrison.

3. The show is written by the same creators as 'LOST.'

Ever wonder why the flashback concept seems so familiar? It's because you've seen it before — on a time-jumping, smoke-monster-filled island, to be exact. Adam Horowitz and Eddie Kitsis are no fools. They know those flashbacks were a huge draw to the show and they're following the same sort of formula on 'Once.' They've even gone so far as to cast former 'LOST' members on the show like Jorge Garcia (who plays Anton the Giant) and Emilie de Ravin (who plays Belle). Any chance Sawyer could make a surprise visit as well? I'd love to hear him hand out some new nicknames.

4. Paula Marshall was originally cast as Maleficent.

However, she was later replaced by Kristin Bauer van Straten after producers decided to go in a different direction with the character. Probably because Kristin (aka Pam from 'True Blood') is the queen of all things.

5. Emma and the Mad Hatter used to date.

Ever notice how much chemistry Sebastian Stan and Jennifer Morrison had on screen together? Well that's because they were actually a real-life couple…up until a few months ago, at least. News broke in early November that they had mutually decided to part ways for unspecified reasons. So much for happily ever after, huh? I hope this doesn't mean we won't be seeing anymore Mad Hatter cameos.

6. The voice of Rumpelstiltskin was influenced by Robert Carlyle's son.

The actor has admitted several times that he came up with the child-like voice of this gold-spinning trickster after hearing his son wander through the house one night making various high-pitched sounds. Adorable? Absolutely, dearie. (Though if the kid starts spinning straw into gold while carrying around an ancient dagger, we should probably look into it.)

7. Snow White and Prince Charming are engaged in real life.

Did you ever think you'd live to see the day where two of the world's most beloved fairytale characters would play out their love story before your very eyes? Well, that day is finally here, folks! Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas announced their engagement back in October, followed shortly after by the news that they're expecting their very first child together. All together now: "Awwww!!!"

8. Colin O'Donoghue, who plays the oh-so-dreamy Captain Hook, is a guitarist in a band.

I kid you not, this swash-buckling pirate is also a ROCK STAR! He plays the guitar in a five piece Irish band called The Enemies. Yup…just when you think this guy can't possibly get any hotter.

9. Jared Gilmore, who plays Henry, used to be Bobby Draper on 'Mad Men.'

That is, until January Jones scared him away. Just kidding! That's (probably) not what happened. The young actor simply decided to part ways with this part-time role after being offered a full-time gig on ABC's 'OUAT.' Because if you're going to experience parental abandonment, it might as well be with a fairytale twist.

10. It takes Robert Carlyle two hours to put on his Rumpelstiltskin make-up and one hour to take off.

Not to mention the 20 minutes it takes to just put on his boots and leggings. Kinda makes our morning rituals seem like a breeze, right ladies?

I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of Facts From a TV Junkie. Check back next week for another fix!

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