“Once Upon A Time” Season 5 changes include the demotion of Michael Socha from regular cast to recurring guest character. Socha, who plays Will Scarlett a.k.a. the Knave of Hearts, has some minor scenes in OUAT 4.

Socha’s demotion suggests slimmer, perhaps even more irrelevant storylines, for the Wonderland hero. As far as regular audience perspective goes, a lot is expected from series regulars. They have are either central characters or relevant to them in many ways. Will, however, is barely touching the central characters’ storylines.

Will Scarlett has an elaborate history in “Once Upon A Time in Wonderland.” Bringing him to Storybrooke should have been done for a compelling reason, something that directly connects to Wonderland. However, in the end, all the casual viewers could remember is that he and Belle (Emilie de Ravin) dated after she banished Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) from Storybrooke.

Perhaps that is all Will is good for in “Once Upon A Time” Season 4 – someone to whom Belle could turn her attention so she does not become a lonely princess while her true love was away. It is such a waste of a good actor, though.

There is still some hope for the character to become more relevant in the hit fantasy drama. Perhaps it is just a matter of timing for showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. Since Merlin is coming in “Once Upon A Time” Season 5, viewers can assume any connection to Wonderland might have to wait a bit longer. Hence, Will Scarlett is stepping down from regular cast to recurring guest.

As Michael Socha step behind the show’s frontliners, new actors are set to join the cast of “Once Upon A Time” Season 5. Producers are looking to give OUAT-faces to Merlin, King Arthur and Guinevere.

Meanwhile, former recurring guests Rebecca Mader and Sean Maguire have been promoted to series regulars. Some viewers thought Maguire has been a series regular since the premiere of Season 4, while others assumed Mader has left OUAT. Still, it makes sense to promote them to regulars because they are both linked to Regina (Lana Parrilla), a type of connection that Will Scarlett does not have.

Let us know your thoughts on “Once Upon A Time” Season 5. You may email your comments at a.paredes@ibtimes.com.au.

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