Neal Cassidy

"I wanted to look for you, but I was too afraid that you wouldn't forgive me because I never forgave myself. There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I don't regret having left you."

- Neal to Emma Swan

Neal Cassidy, formerly known as the Mysterious Man and also known as Baelfire, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. He débuts in the first episode of the second season. He is portrayed by starring cast member Michael Raymond-James, and is the Land Without Magic alias of Baelfire.

Trivia

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Etymology

 * The name "Neal" is of Irish Gaelic origin derived from the name "Niall" that possibly means "champion" or "cloud".
 * The surname "Cassidy" is of Irish Gaelic origin derived from the surname "Ó Caiside" that means "descendent of Caiside". By itself, "Caiside" is a given name that means "curly haired".
 * His name is similar to Neal Cassady, an infamous thief who served eleven months in prison for possession of stolen goods; just like Emma did when Neal let her take the fall for his crime.

Character Notes

 * The song playing on his iPod during the walk to his apartment is "Charley's Girl" by Lou Reed.
 * The dream-catcher hanging in Neal's apartment was given to him by Emma.
 * The address of his apartment is 89 Wooster Street, New York, NY, 10012.
 * His apartment is situated across the street from the back building of real-life Italian pasta supplier Piedmont Ravoli Co. Inc. located on 162 Mulberry Street in New York.
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Production Notes

 * The casting call describes him as, "in his 20s or 30s, charismatic, sexy and mysterious, but also loyal and kind, and he's running from his past in a land full of danger."
 * The casting call name for him was "Jack".
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Props Notes

 * Has many vintage items in his apartment such as an array of old radios, old microphones, classic cameras, records and record player, old pencil sharpener, cobbler's wooden shoe forms and an old telephone.
 * There is a sign in his apartment that reads "Cleaner & Hatters".
 * He has a collection of clocks, just like his father, Mr. Gold, and his son, Henry.
 * His wanted poster reads:

WANTED FOR GRAND LARCENY NEAL CASSIDY DESCRIPTION


 * Date of birth: March 23, 1977
 * Place of birth: New Jersey
 * Height: 5' 9"
 * Weight: 170 pounds
 * NCIC: W238392092039
 * Occupation: Janitor
 * Scars and Marks: Neal Cassidy has a scar on his left arm from a knife wound
 * Remarks: Neal Cassidy may be in possession of stolen firearms

Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Sex: Male Race: Caucasian Nationality: American


 * According to his wanted poster, Neal was born in 1977. Since Neal and Emma met in 2001, he would have been twenty-four while she was seventeen or eighteen at the time.

Appearances
Note: "Archive" denotes archive footage.


 * Neal appears in a photo in "Breaking Glass".