Learn more about Once Upon a Time‘s returning episode, “The Cricket Game” – a new synopsis details the flashback, the guest stars, and the murder mystery!

ABC has released the following press statement about the episode:

EMMA THINKS REGINA MAY BE INNOCENT OF MURDERING ONE OF THE TOWN’S MOST BELOVED FAIRYTALE CHARACTERS, AND SNOW WHITE AND PRINCE CHARMING SET ABOUT PLANNING THE EVIL QUEEN’S PUBLIC EXECUTION, ON ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME”

“The Cricket Game” – Regina is accused of murdering one of the town’s most beloved fairytale characters — but only Emma senses that she may be innocent. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, after capturing the Evil Queen, Snow White and Prince Charming set about planning her public execution in order to rid the land of her murderous tyranny, on “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Meghan Ory as Red Riding Hood/Ruby, and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest starring are Raphael Sbarge as Archie Hopper/Jiminy Cricket, Lee Arenberg as Leroy/Grumpy, Barbara Hershey as Cora, Keegan Connor Tracy as Mother Superior/Blue Fairy, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Tony Perez as Valet, Beverley Elliott as Granny, David-Paul Grove as Doc, Gabe Khouth as Mr. Clark/Sneezy, Faustino Di Bauda as Sleepy, Jeffrey Kaiser as Dopey, Michael Coleman as Happy, Mig Macario as Bashful, David Nykl as fisherman and Michael Soltis as Black Knight No. 1.

“The Cricket Game” was written by David H. Goodman & Robert Hull and directed by Dean White.

The big question of course is: who is this “beloved fairytale character” that Regina will be suspected of murdering? Because the episode title has the word “cricket” in it, we really worry that it’s Archie – but surely they wouldn’t kill off such a big character at the beginning of an episode to allow for Emma to have time to prove Regina’s innocence?!

Once Upon a Time returns January 6 2013, airing at 8/7c on ABC!