Rueben's Ramblings

Just a few weeks ago, the new fairytale drama Once Upon a Time debuted on ABC, pulling in the highest ratings out of any new series this fall. In a very short amount of time, this series has also become a favorite among TV viewers with fans trying to determine who is who between the real world and the enchanted forest realm.

But, one character that is being seriously whispered about is the birth father of young Henry (Jared Gilmore), the biological son of Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and the adopted son of Storybrooke’s (evil) mayor Regina (Lana Parrilla).

Will he ever be introduced in the show? If so, when will that fateful day be? And more importantly, which actor will play the role?

Well, I decided to compile my own wish list of actors who could play Henry’s biological dad and here they are in no particular order:

Jason Dohring

Jason Dohring – Best known for his role on the critically acclaimed series Veronica Mars as well as the fan favorite Moonlight, Jason could easily pull off this character depending on whether TPTB behind the show decide to make him the bad boy with a golden heart or the not-completely-evil (but close enough) rapscallion who took Emma’s innocence, leaving her alone and pregnant with a child she could not take care of on her own.

Brendan Fehr

Brendan Fehr – It has been awhile since Brendan has been in the forefront of a TV series the way he was on the cult favorite Roswell. Viewers of that show know he can easily play the bad boy; but wouldn’t it be great to see him play the romantic lead. What if he turned out to be Emma’s soul mate, but they were simply too young at the time of Henry’s conception to be together and were, regretfully, pulled apart by the foster system.

Craig Horner

Craig Horner – Call me crazy, but Australian Craig, best known for his lead role in the syndicated series Legend of the Seeker, would make a great dual character from the fairytale world. Perhaps it turns out he is the only one, besides Emma, from the enchanted forest to somehow have slipped through the curse, ending up in the foster system the same way as she. And they fall in love, conceive Henry; but then something horrible happens and he disappears only to show up in Storybrooke just when he is needed most.

Noah Bean

Noah Bean – He is best known for his recent, recurring role on Nikita as CIA analyst Ryan Fletcher, but he also played ill-fated David Connor to Rose Bryne’s Ellen on Damages. Wouldn’t it be great to see him play a character that doesn’t face an untimely demise and maybe even play the bad boy who stayed the bad boy until he learned that his biological son lives the good life in Storybrooke, Maine? Maybe he learns about Henry via devious Mr. Gold – aka Rumplestilskin (Robert Carlyle) and comes to the trapped-in-time town to see what havoc he can wreak.

Logan Bartholomew

Logan Bartholomew – He may not be that recognizable except to the viewers who watched the Hallmark Channel movies Love’s Enduring Promise, Love’s Long Journey and Love’s Abiding Joy (based on the book series by Janette Oke); but in each movie he was the good man, good husband and good father. In playing Henry’s dad, he could shed those lofty monikers and be a bit more of a hell-raiser; someone that Emma regrets having been involved with and someone she doesn’t want knowing about Henry. But, being the borderline genius that he is – never fall for the really smart (and rich) guy, Emma? – he finally figures out where she is after all these years and comes to claim what he believes is rightfully his: Henry.

What do you think the creators of the show will do about Henry’s dad? Do you like any of these casting suggestions? Or, do you have an actor or two in mind? Please share.