The Once Upon a Time showrunners have answered burning questions from fans, including whether the Huntsman will return and if they’ll pay homage to fandom ships.

TV Guide had Adam Horowitz and Ed Kitsis in for a burning questions lightning round, and we got some great answers out of the showrunning team!

Among other things, they address whether we’ll learn the identity of the Queen of Hearts any time soon, and yes, that particular answer will be given in the episode after next (of the same name). Cora, anyone?

They also reveal that Rumpelstiltskin’s son Bae will be back this year – though of course, that could just as well be in a flashback as in real time, we’ll have to wait and see.

Swan Queen (Emma/Regina) shippers will be happy to know that the showrunners are very aware of the popular pairing. “We love that our fans ‘ship all our characters and we think it’s super-cool and we hope they like what we wind up doing with all of them,” Horowitz says, though he wouldn’t confirm or deny whether they’d ever write a romance between the pair into the show. “We’re trying to tell our story while [making the show for the fans] and we hope they like where it goes,” he says.

On whether Jamie Dornan will reprise his role as the Huntsman, Horowitz says, “Yes. God, I hope so.” Kitsis adds that the actor is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but hints that after his recovery, they’ll try to bring him back (to be “hungry like the wolf,” hmm).

We can also look forward to some “jaw droppage” during the mid-season finale. At least that’s the producers’ aim, as well as, “sending off everybody to Christmas with a smile,” as Kitsis teases. Hopefully that means a Charming/Snow reunion!

Once Upon a Time is back Sunday with episode 2×08, titled “Into the Deep.” What do you think about these new hints about what’s to come?