In 2011, Jared left Mad Men and was cast in Once Upon a Time as Henry Mills, the "biological son of Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison's character) and Neal. He is the only resident of Storybrooke who is not under the spell of the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla)." Series creators Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis stated of the role, "One of our emotional centers was an 11-year-old boy who had to be precocious and vulnerable at the same time." Kitsis believed that Gilmore "naturally brought [these characteristics] out... We just knew he had to be our Henry!" Gilmore commented, "I relate to Henry, because I'm 11 and also have a very good imagination. I enjoy making up and playing games in worlds with alternate realities myself."