Once Upon a Time, as a show that ran for seven seasons, had an extremely large cast of characters. Therefore, along with the main characters, there was an abundance of side characters who helped move the plot along or assisted in filling out the world. Even villains who played a small role could technically be called side characters.

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Occasionally, side characters in any show are the ones who stand out and make the show worth watching in the first place. Once Upon a Time had several of these characters. Therefore, here are 10 of Once Upon a Time's best side characters.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan first features in the Neverland arc in season three, as he searches for Henry. Slowly the audience learns his backstory, and that he has little love for and eventually abandons his son, Rumpelstiltskin.

As a villain, he seeks immortality and companionship. He searches for the heart of "the truest believer", who is Henry. His companions are the Lost Boys, whom he draws to him with music.

Robin Hood

Once Upon a Time with Regina and Robin Hood standing outside.

Robin Hood is Regina's true love, and also provides help to Emma in Storybrooke. Robin was a thief in the Enchanted Forest, but fell in love with Marian and had a son, becoming an honest tavern owner in the process.

After the first curse is broken, he and his Merry Men help patrol the borders of Storybrooke. However, he and Regina also get caught up in Zelena's schemes when she pretends to be Marian, despite Marian being dead.

The Huntsman

Once Upon a Time Regina and Sheriff Graham

The Huntsman, also known as Graham, is the sheriff in Storybrooke when Emma arrives in season one, having brought Henry home. She joins him at the office as his deputy when she decides to stay in town. Emma then discovers that Graham and Regina are in a secret relationship.

When he confronts her about it, the two briefly kiss, causing some of Graham's Enchanted Forest memories to return. This causes Graham to go looking for his heart, which Regina had taken previously. After all of Graham's memories return and he tells Regina he won't be in a relationship with her anymore, she retaliates by killing him.

Jiminy Cricket

Promo image for Once Upon A Time featuring Archie Hopper.

Known as Dr. Archibald Hopper in Storybrooke, Jiminy Cricket is the son of con artists in the Enchanted Forest. He accidentally turns a couple into puppets and gains the help of the Blue Fairy to make amends with their son, Geppetto. As a result, he ends up functioning as Geppetto's conscience.

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He serves as Storybrooke's psychotherapist and owns a dog named Pongo, a reference to One Hundred and One Dalmations. He also officiates Killian and Emma's wedding in season six.

Ruby

Red Riding Hood smiling softly in Once Upon A Time

In the Enchanted Forest, Ruby is the Wolf that is terrorizing her town, without her realizing it. She ends up having to run away, which causes her to become friends with Snow White, who is also on the run from Queen Regina.

When in Storybrooke once the first curse is cast, she is a waitress at Granny's Diner and wears revealing clothing. Though she cannot turn into a werewolf in Storybrooke, she does possess keen senses of smell and hearing.

Hook

Killian Jones is a captain who ends up in Neverland with his brother Liam before the beginning of the series. They request Peter Pan's help in finding a particular plant, which ultimately causes Liam's death.

Afterward, Killian embraces the life of a pirate. In season two, Killian meets Emma as he attempts to find a way to Rumpelstiltskin. Slowly, over the next few seasons, the two build a relationship together.

Neal Cassidy

Neal Cassidy, also known as Baelfire, is the son of Rumpelstiltskin and Milah. He grows up in the Enchanted Forest with a father who becomes increasingly reliant on magic. Rumpelstiltskin restricts his son to the house, and becomes fearful of Baelfire leaving, knowing that if he does, Rumpelstiltskin would be completely alone.

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After falling through a portal into the Land Without Magic, Neal befriends Emma when they are both attempting to steal the same car, and the two have a son together, Henry, who is given up for adoption. Neal reenters Emma's life after she breaks the first curse, and starts to get to know Henry.

Pinnochio

August turns into Pinnochio Once Upon a Time

Known as August in the Land Without Magic, Pinnochio is Geppetto's son. When Emma goes through the wardrobe early in the series, Pinnochio goes through too, with the order to look after her.

However, he ends up being adopted by someone else. As an adult, he scares Neal away from Emma, telling him that she has a great destiny ahead of her without him in it.

Belle

Belle talking to Chip in OUAT

Despite only appearing in a handful of episodes in season one, Emilie de Ravin's natural chemistry with Robert Carlyle, who played Rumpelstiltskin, worked to her character's benefit, as well as the couple's.

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Belle and Rumpelstiltskin go through many obstacles before finally having a life together, though Belle dies of old age while Rupelstilitskin remains as he is due to his immortality. Ultimately, however, she convinces him of his goodness and he manages to maintain it.

Frankenstein

Once Upon a Time Mary Margaret and Dr. Whale

Also known as Dr. Whale, Frankenstein is a loved side character. As a young man, he ran into Rumpelstiltskin, who offered him a deal.

Rumpelstiltskin assisted him in bringing his brother Gerhardt back to life, though the plan had consequences for Regina. In Storybrooke, he treats both Henry and David at the hospital. In the later seasons, Whale also begins running a lab in his garage to continue his scientific work.

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