The Once Upon a Time season 3 winter finale featured the death of the villainous Peter Pan (Robbie Kay) but it also featured the presumed death of Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle).

Mr. Gold/Rumple is one of the most important characters in Once Upon a Time, so it seems unlikely that he will stay dead for the remainder of the series, or even season 3. Though both Pan and Rumple disappeared in a flash of light in the midseason finale, previous comments by the creators suggest that Rumple, at least, will be back soon.

Once co-creator Adam Horowitz previously said, "In the second half of the season, [Rumple and Belle] are going to be in the same world for an extended period of time," obviously indicating that Rumple will be alive and well in the second half of season 3.

However, fellow co-creator Edward Kitsis added, "the second half of the season will further explore their relationship - in whatever state that is."

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Pan's portrayer Kay also suggested that viewers may not have seen the last of him, either.

"You are going to see a change in the relationship in the mid-season finale," Kay revealed recently. "So they will touch upon that and it will be very interesting to see where they go from there in terms of their relationship as the season progresses."

Kay's comments, especially "as the season progresses" implies that both Pan and Rumple could be back when Once Upon a Time returns in March.

Once Upon a Time season 3 returns with its midseason premiere on Sunday Mar. 9 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Watch a trailer for the midseason premiere of Once Upon a Time here:

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