Colin O’Donoghue: “We’re so lucky to have a great fandom for Once Upon A Time”

On November 13, 2021, Colin O’Donoghue was in Paris to meet Once Upon A Time fans during the Happy Ending Convention 4.

Roster Con had the chance to talk with him for 5 minutes and to quickly talk about his experience in the series and his future in conventions.

Once Upon A Time

It’s been 10 years since Once Upon A Time started, do you remember what you thought the first day of shooting ?

Colin O’Donoghue : My very first day filming was on the Jolly Roger which was the Lady Washington, a real boat. And it was with Robert Carlyle who I grew up idolizing as one of my favorite actors. I have a very vivid memory of standing there, in black leather pants, on a real ship, looking at Robert Carlyle and thinking ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ (laugh). It was an incredible first day and Bobby is one of the best to ever do the job. So it’s a great experience.

What are the first things that comes to your mind when you think about this period of your life?

Vancouver, where we filmed which I fell in love with, and my fantastic castmates. Just what an incredible experience it was to be a part of something that means so much to so many people.

What do you miss about playing Killian / Hook. And, what don’t you miss?

I miss being around the cast and crew. You build up, especially over that length of time, really close relationships with people so that’s the main thing I miss about it. And what I don’t miss is early, really early, mornings or really late nights. Getting up at four o’clock or three o’clock in the morning… Although, I did that this morning to come here (laugh). But, in general, I don’t miss that.

In 10 years, you are asked to have a reunion. First, would you say yes and if so, what would you prefer? A movie, some new episodes or a reunion like Friends did?

Oh wow. I would say yes. I think that it would be a fun thing to do a Once upon a time movie. A self-contained thing could be good.

What could be the storyline of this movie?

It would be about Captain Hook. A Captain Hook Movie and I would be happy to do that.

Conventions

It’s been a while since we’ve seen you in France for a convention, what are your memories of the 3 events you did?

Well, I just love Paris. I love being in France. The fans first and foremost. It’s really something that stands there. I think we’re so lucky to have a great fandom for Once upon a time. To see such passionate people come out to sort of celebrate the show. I think it’s an incredible thing.

Are conventions something you want to continue doing?

Yeah, it’s great. I mean, as long as people are happy to come see it. I think it’s a great way for fans of different shows to get together and form a community. And I think that’s an important thing. It’s something that we’ve really missed over the last couple of years.