Once Upon a Time showrunners Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz were in attendance at the ATX Television Festival and in a panel, they were somewhat forthcoming about what to expect for the show's new season.

The biggest note from the panel was the distinctive set-up of the new season: it will be split into halves, with each one getting its own beginning, middle, and end structure. What's going to happen in these two acts?

Kitsis and Horowitz suggested that Emma's past is set to be a subject of discussion, and she will spend some of this season getting into touch with her magical abilities that she once tried to disavow.

"Emma realized she had magic and kind of was in denial of it, then at the end, she's not really in control of it, nor has she had time in season 2 to contemplate that," Kitsis told the panel audience. "Season 3 is definitely going to have her ask the questions: what are my abilities? What does it really mean to be the savior?"

As for Emma's foe-turned-reluctant-ally, Regina is due for a happy ending. She's had a history of broken hearts -- in the case of Sheriff Graham -- but what's coming for Regina romantically?

"Regina is definitely a character who has found love and lost it," Horowitz said, with Kitsis quickly adding, "I would love to see Regina dating. See someone give her a mixtape -- she's earned it. She might have to rip his heart out to get it."

Snow White may also go rogue in season 3, as Kitsis and Horowitz have suggested she'll evolve into the "bandit Snow" as the season progresses.

"It's time for her to rise to the hero that she was," they said.

The showrunners pointed toward a potential storyline somewhere on the horizon.

Wetpaint blogger Rebecca Martin wrote in May that the show could benefit greatly from including a homosexual storyline, especially since it is based so much on the idea of love. When the prospect was brought up, Kitsis and Horowitz seemed receptive to the idea.

"We are absolutely open to it," said Kitsis. "For us, it is a matter of the right time and the right story, and it's something we discuss."

"The same as with any love story, we'd have to do it right and give it its due," added Horowitz.

Tags: Once Upon A Time Once Upon A Time Season 3