Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26830263-20170710210232/@comment-25375217-20170808214837

ChocolatEyes613 wrote: JennaMae wrote: If the show goes past season 7, I don't see them prioritizing bringing anyone back for the actual series finale, because we'll be in complete spinoff territory. The series finale will revolve around the new group of people, not the group that was given a farewell 2+ seasons ago. I would classify the OUaT reboot, as more along the lines of a sequel.

However, you are most probably correct about the writers not prioritizing, any of the original characters returning for the series finale. I only see Belle and Gideon returning for the S7 finale, mainly because Robert Carlyle is leaving. If OUaT is miraculously renewed for another season, it is incredibly doubtful there will be any more cameos from old characters. The only original actors would be Lana Parrilla and Colin O'Donoghue, if they both choose to stay. I seem to remember Colin saying this was his last year, too. I don't remember any such report for Lana, though.

I suspect Regina, Hook, and Rumple are only around to usher in the new cast. Once we've had this season to get used to them, there's no reason to keep the three originals around. Regina has a very good chance of being recurring if she does leave the main cast, though, since she is Henry's only mother at this point. (regardless of what happens to Emma, Jennifer is almost certainly never coming back.)