A Gentleman Casting on 'Once Upon a Time' Season 5B

On the heels of the news of a few old favorites returning to the show (see my article on it here) the creators of Once Upon a Time have already made a casting decision for one of the new possible villains that will be appearing in the second half of season 5.

Greg Germann has been cast in a role for the season so far only known as "The Distinguished Gentleman". The casting call stated that he was "a mysterious figure with god-like powers who is always clad in a perfectly tailored suit".

It has been well-specualted that there would be some very hellish things coming to the second half of the season. The 100th episode - being titled "Souls of the Departed" - will feature many of the past villains returning. This begs the questions, why are they returning and how will the Storybrooke group happen upon them.

With the midseason finale being entitled "Swan Song", this does leave a very ominous vibe. The term "swan song" actually comes from a Greek term which means a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death.

The only true way to defeat the Dark One, at the moment manifested in Emma, is to kill them. With Merlin gone for the time being, her fate rests solely in the decisions made by the rest of the group in Storybrooke, who now have to make some very tough decisions. Could the midseason finale actually bring about the death of our favorite savior? Could the title be both a hint to a death as well as the character that is involved in it?

It has already been confirmed that the group will be involved in a literal "Hell" and knowing this, perhaps, this man in a suit who is so god-like could actually be Hades, god of the underworld.

Other casting calls for the second half of the season have some familiar qualities. They are looking for a “dashing, strapping young man, single-minded in his pursuit of his destiny: to be the greatest hero who ever lived." This description sounds a lot like Hercules, who has in the past been described as just that.

Another casting calls for a “plucky, 18-year-old female adventurer with a sly sense of humor and a tough, no-nonsense spirit.” This definitely brings to mind Meg, who we all know could hold her own with both Hercules and against Hades. Let's not forget her clever quips such as "Pinhead with hooves? Well, you know how men are. They think 'No' means 'Yes' and 'Get lost' means 'Take me, I'm yours.' "

So with all these intriguing new characters, and a possible death on the horizon, could it be that we are going to have some Greek mythology on the show? While that is still up for a debate, I, for one, am leaning towards a yes, though only time will tell.

Update: It does look like perhaps the underworld will be opening up under Storybrooke.