<P> In early stages of the conception of the character, Emma's name was Anna, and she was supposed to have three children, but she ended up having just Henry . In the original script of the Pilot, she is described as "Late 20s . Beautiful, with great strength behind classic features . But also not quite at home in her skin ." </P> <P> It was reported that actress Katee Sackhoff auditioned five times for the role of Emma, but according to her, the producers really wanted Morrison to play the part, and she accepted a role in the television series Longmire . In the end, Morrison was hired for the part of Emma . Morrison explained her character as someone who "help (s) her son Henry whom she abandoned when he was a baby and who seems like he's a little bit emotionally dysfunctional", but noted that Emma does not start out believing in the fairytale universe . Morrison has described Emma as being like an overgrown teenager who does not know how to properly do certain things, like eating or taking care of herself; this is due to Emma not growing up in a family unit . Morrison said that when she does not know what to do with Emma, she thinks, "What a 14 - year - old boy would do?" Morrison has also stated that Emma is loosely based on "The Ugly Duckling", and that Emma's last name Swan is derived from this fairy tale . According to the creators of the series, the name Swan is "very symbolic and fairy tale name and it just felt right for her and for the journey we are creating for Emma ." </P> <P> After Emma became the "Dark One" in the fourth season of the series, Morrison began doing research with mythology books and old fairy tale books, and looking back through the history of swans and the etymology of' Swan' to prepare for this new trait of her character . For Morrison, it is a great opportunity to now play a villain and it is challenging for her to portray a character that is constantly evolving . </P> <P> Emma is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, older sister to Prince Neal and mother to Henry Daniel Mills . </P>

What fairytale character is emma swan in once upon a time