Once Upon a Time [1] is taking a new direction [2] when it returns for its seventh season [3] this Fall, and it's both scary and exciting. While creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz have "reinvented" the show in the past with new characters and realms, this season will be entirely different as the story flashes forward [4] to an adult Henry Mills [5] and his daughter, Lucy [6] — but don't call this season a reboot [7]. Even though a lot of the stars will be exiting the show [8], you can rest assured it will still pay homage to the original [9]. Here's what to expect from the new season [10], including when it will begin!

1. The Trailer

2. There's a New Hero in Town

With Jennifer Morrison's departure [11], the story won't be about Emma Swan anymore. Instead, her son, Henry (now played by Andrew J. West), will be stepping up as the show's leading hero alongside his daughter, Lucy. His journey takes place outside of Storybrooke many years later.

3. Henry Is Married (or at Least, Was)

Following the finale, one of the biggest questions remains: who is Lucy's mother? Edward Kitsis teased that she has an epic romance with Henry [12], and after the Comic-Con panel, we're pretty confident that he's about to fall head over glass slippers for Cinderella (Dania Ramirez).

4. There Are New Stories to Be Told

Even though a lot of our favorite characters will be exiting the show, there are even more characters and new worlds on the horizon [13]. While Ramirez will be playing a new version of Cinderella, you can also expect to see Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Tiana from Princess and the Frog next season.

5. There Will Be Flashbacks

In true Once Upon a Time form, the show will still include flashbacks [14]. Seeing that the finale includes a big jump forward, we can only assume these scenes will piece together what actually happens to adult Henry and his family after the final battle.

6. Familiar Faces Will Be Back

In addition to flashbacks, we'll be seeing the departed characters again. Jennifer Morrison has already filmed her scenes for season seven [15], and during the show's Comic-Con panel in July, the creators teased that previous cast members will be back in recurring and guest roles.

7. The Enchanted Forest Is in Danger . . . Again

As we learned in the two-part finale, the Enchanted Forest is in grave danger and only Henry can save it.

8. The Show Is Still About Hope

One thing you can count on to stay the same next season is the theme of hope. Having the heart of the truest believer, Henry's loss of faith will be a major jumping-off point [16] for the coming season.

9. There Is a New Town (and Curse)

After a new curse hits, our favorite characters will be transported to Hyperion Heights in Seattle, WA. Of course, things will be even more twisted this time around. While Storybrooke was only full of fairy tale characters, there also be quite a few interactions with non-fairy tale characters [17] in this new town. That would definitely explain why Hook is dressed as a police officer in the trailer.

10. Your Favorite Characters Will Be Very Different

Not only is this season retelling some of our favorite fairy tales, but Regina, Rumple, and Hook will all get new identities in Hyperion Heights. Regina is a bartender named Roni, Hook is a police officer, and Rumple is rumored to be a playing a a bad detective named Crocker [18].

11. There Will Be an LGBTQ Story

The show's creators confirmed during the Comic-Con panel that there will definitely be an LGBTQ storyline [19] in the new season.

12. The First Sneak Peek

13. The Premiere Date

The show is on a new night and will return Friday, Oct. 6!