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While they admittedly took very different, unique approaches to their worlds of fantasy, Game of Thrones and Once Upon a Time ran concurrently from 2011 until their respective conclusions in 2018 and 2019. The genre-inversions of well known tales of Kings, Queens and Prince Charmings both delighted fans in their way, but there's one aspect that Once Upon a Time's Lana Parilla (Regina Mills, the Evil Queen) says Game of Thrones could never do.

Speaking to a packed room of fans at C2E2 2025's Once Upon a Time spotlight panel, Parilla spoke to the incredible skill and efficiency that went into every episode of the ABC fairytale drama. In particular, Parilla credited everyone involved for the ways "they could do in 8 to 9 days things that took Game of Thrones a month." Parilla jokingly lamented that it was HBO's George R.R. Martin adaptation that got all the awards, but emphasized the magic and speed required to pull off the look of Once Upon a Time for 22 or 23 episodes a year (compared to Game of Throne's average ten). 

The rate of production led to a very focused production environment. "Guest stars would say, 'This is the hardest show I've ever been on,'" said Parilla. "They don't make shows like this anymore," she went on to lament, much to the approval of a roaring fan response.

Parilla went on to celebrate the legacy of the 7-season-show alongside Rebecca Mader (Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West) and Sean Maguire (Robin Hood), clearly reveling in the way her character, shall we say, stole other character's hearts. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to various episode lengths - 22 episode seasons of Game of Thrones are frankly hard to even imagine! - but it is interesting to consider the skill required to pull off the more traditional network approach. 

Did you miss a C2E2 Main Stage panel? Don't worry, we're filming it all thanks to our partners at CGC x JSA -  our official authenticator & grading partner. Here is the C2E2 2025 panel list and release schedule.