Jennifer Morrison Announces her Exit from ONCE UPON A TIME

If ONCE UPON A TIME goes on to Season 7, it will do so without Jennifer Morrison, who plays main character Emma Swan.

Jennifer Morrison isn’t waiting around to hear if ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME gets renewed for Season 7. She announced on Instagram that she will no longer be a series regular on the fantasy drama, despite the fact that the popular show is almost guaranteed to continue after the Season 6 finale.

As I reached the end of my 6 year contract on ONCE UPON A TIME, I was faced with a significant decision. ABC, Eddy Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz very generously invited me to continue as a series regular. After very careful consideration, I have decided that creatively and personally, it is time for me to move on,” Morrison wrote. “Emma Swan is one my favorite characters that I have ever played. My 6 years on ONCE UPON A TIME has changed my life in the most beautiful ways. I am absolutely blown away by the passion and commitment of the Oncer fans. I am so honored to have been a central part of such a special show.

Morrison’s exit raises questions about the fate of her character, Emma Swan. Executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis released a statement that calms some of the fans’ fears, assuring the world that it has not necessarily seen the end of Emma Swan.

The past six years of collaborating with Jennifer as Emma Swan have been truly magical. Watching her breathe life into Emma, she accomplished more than we could have dreamed possible – she gave life to a brand-new Disney Princess, filled with strength and intelligence and an incredible closet full of red leather jackets. We’ll miss seeing her every day, but her imprint upon Once Upon a Time is indelible. She will always be a part of the show and its heart and soul. That said, just because Jennifer won’t be back every week doesn’t mean we won’t see our savior again.

ABC chief Channing Dungey had previously stated that Horowitz and Kitsis saw a potential seventh season as a springboard in a new direction. Morrison’s exit will certainly provide that opportunity, giving new characters such as those played by The Walking dead alum Andrew J. West and Jane the Virgin star Alison Fernandez a chance to step into the spotlight. West and Fernandez are set to guest star in the two-hour season 6 finale, which will air on Sunday.

jennifer morrison colin o'donoghue

“By the end of the season finale, a lot of what we’ve been doing for the last six years is wrapped up, and we hope in a very satisfying way,” Horowitz said recently. “Then, we move forward in a way that, at the end of it, hopefully, you’ll see what we’re hoping to do in season 7.” From the sound of it, the season finale could work as a series finale, but it doesn’t have to be the end. Fans have to hope that Morrison’s decision doesn’t decide the fate of Once Upon a Time.

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