Queen of Hearts (Once Upon a Time)

The Queen of Hearts, also known as Cora Mills, is a prominent character in the ABC television series Once Upon a Time. She is portrayed primarily by Barbara Hershey.

Cora is the manipulative and ambitious mother of Regina Mills (the Evil Queen) and Zelena (the Wicked Witch of the West). Her primary goal throughout the series is to acquire power, and she is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve it, including her own family.

In Storybrooke, Maine, Cora initially appears as an amnesiac woman known as "Mother Superior" who runs the local convent. As her memories return, she reveals her true identity and resumes her quest for power. She schemes alongside Regina, but often clashes with her due to their differing methods and Cora's overarching desire to control Regina's life.

Cora's backstory is explored through flashbacks, revealing her humble origins and the events that shaped her into the ruthless woman she becomes. These events include her relationship with Prince Henry (Snow White's father), her forced marriage to a man of higher status by her own mother, and her subsequent manipulation of Regina into marrying King Leopold, resulting in Snow White becoming an orphan.

Cora's magical abilities are formidable, rivaling those of Rumplestiltskin. She possesses a vast knowledge of dark magic and is skilled in manipulation, deception, and strategic planning. Her defining act of darkness is the removal of her own heart, allowing her to pursue her goals without the burden of love or compassion. This act, however, also makes her vulnerable to attacks targeting her heart.

Cora's actions have a significant impact on the lives of many characters in Once Upon a Time, most notably Regina and Snow White. Her complex relationships with her daughters are central to the overarching narrative, exploring themes of family, power, and redemption. Despite her villainous nature, Cora's character is portrayed with layers of complexity, exploring the motivations behind her cruelty and her underlying desire to protect her daughters, albeit in a twisted and often destructive way. Her character ultimately meets her demise at the hands of Mary Margaret (Snow White), in an act that devastates Regina.