Can someone explain to me what this live action series is about? Is it just like modern tellings of fairytales?
Season 1's backstory:
There once was an enchanted forest in a parallel dimension where a lot of people that we consider fairy tale characters exist for real. The evil queen (from Snow White) cast a spell on the town to transport it to another dimension (our world) where it became the small American east coast town of Storybrooke -- it looks like New England. This spell put them in a world without magic, where nobody had their memories of who they were originally, and where the characters could not have happy endings (the purpose of the curse). A 9 year old boy, immune and determined to break the curse, fetches help.
Characters that show up in significant roles include snow white, prince charming, their daughter (Emma), Rumpelstiltskin, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, The wicked witch of the west, Malificent, the dwarfs, Belle, little red riding hood. A lot of other characters show up as well in minor roles. Frankenstein and the little mermaid have shown up.
The show is very cheesy, girly, and popular in the USA. It has character arcs and decent drama but in my opinion it primarily succeeds as an indulgence into well-made Disney cosplay and professional-quality fan fiction.
They retell the fairy tales with some spin.
The show is owned by Disney. There have been references to Star Wars, but as far as I know there have been no references to Marvel.