| “ | I never liked pirates. | „ |
| ~ Charming, after killing Hook |
David, better known as Charming, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. He debuts in the episode "Operation Mongoose." After the death of his brother James, Charming's heart was stolen by the Evil Queen, Snow White. He acted as Snow White's right-hand man, as well as a replacement for James. He is portrayed by Josh Dallas.
Creation
This version of Prince Charming is based on both his fairy tale counterpart Prince Charming and Once Upon a Time's version of the Huntsman. His origin story is heavily inspired by Graham's, in which he becomes a servant of the Evil Queen after she steals his heart and is coerced into engaging in a romantic relationship with her.
History
After Isaac Heller rewrites everyone's stories in the Heroes and Villains book, Charming becomes a slave to the Evil Queen Snow White after she steals his heart to compensate for the death of her true love, his brother James. This ensures that he is not only her lover but will do her bidding, though she is still unsatisfied with him. During a confrontation with the Savior (who is actually his daughter Emma Swan), Charming duels with Killian Jones, in which he kills him, claiming that he never much liked pirates. Once Henry harnesses the quill and becomes the next Author, Isaac's stories are undone and everyone returns to their old lives in Storybrooke.
Trivia
Though it is unclear whether Charming's feelings towards Snow remain during the alternate reality, it is possible that he still loved her, which would make him similar to Once Upon a Time's version of the Magic Mirror, who had unrequited feelings for the original Evil Queen, Regina Mills.