Unexpected and potentially excited news tonight out of ABC and Once Upon a Time:

According to Deadline sources, the series will bring back the Mad Hatter for an episode later in Season 2.

HOWEVER, the role would be recast because the network is considering a spinoff involving the character and Sebastian Stan is unavailable for such a commitment.

The Mad Hatter grew into one of the show's more popular recurring players during his handful of appearances, but it's hard not to wonder if that was due to the character or Stan's portrayal of him.

Would a new actor catch on in the same fashion? Enough to build an entire series around him?

Insiders say the new actor would be brought on as a guest star with a series option in the contract, similar to deals made with Emile de Ravin and Meghan Ory.

So what do you think, Once Upon a Time fanatics? Can you imagine anyone other than Stan as the Hatter? Would you want to see such a spinoff? And which actor would you cast in it?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.