The “Once Upon A Time” Season 5 story needs Merlin to show up and save Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) from being bound to darkness forever. Who will the showrunners cast for the role?

Spoiler alert: This update contains “Once Upon A Time” Season 4 finale spoilers. Read on at your own risk if you have not watched the latest season.

In the finale of OUAT 4, Emma Swan sacrifices herself to save Regina (Lana Parrilla) from getting swallowed up by darkness yet again. Swan says the former evil queen has worked so hard to find the light.

Now it’s up to Emma’s parents, Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) to save the Saviour. Captain Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) is expected to help the Charming family, including Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), who is now the Author.

In its slideshow feature of casting suggestions, TVLine recommended Ioan Gruffudd (“Forever”) to play Merlin in “Once Upon A Time” Season 5. TVLine’s list is comprised of actors from cancelled shows. The OUAT writers are currently on hiatus, so casting news are not expected until July or August, when production begins.

Show creators Adam Horowitz and Eddie Kitsis told Zap2It “Swan” is their one word to describe what happens next in “Once Upon A Time” Season 5. The show bosses also said they have discussed how the fifth season stories would go, but they will explore the ideas again after their one-month break.

Aside from Merlin and Swan stories, “Once Upon A Time” Season 5 is also expected to deliver a somewhat altered Rumplestiltskin. The prophecy that Henry would be Rumple’s undoing has come to pass. Henry reversed the pro-Rumple story that Isaac Heller (Patrick Fischler) has written. The ultimate consequence is that the Apprentice has removed darkness from Rumple’s heart.

“Once Upon A Time” Season 5 is expected to premiere on ABC by September or October this year. It remains to be seen whether Maleficent (Kristin Bauer van Straten) and her daughter Lily (Agnes Bruckner) would still play significant roles in the new chapter.

For feedback or comments on this article, you may email a.paredes@ibtimes.com.au.

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