As fans of ABC’s Once Upon a Time wait to learn if the show has been renewed for a seventh season, one thing is for sure. Jennifer Morrison will not return as a series regular if the show continues. The actress joined the cast of Once Upon a Time in the first season as Emma Swan.
Morrison wrote a heartfelt note to fans explaining her exit on Instagram. She said,”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.”
The announcement came right after the second last episode of the sixth season aired in which Swan and long time love interest Hook (Colin O’ Donoghue) get married. Morrison took time to acknowledge her love of the show and character in the Instagram post, stating, “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. I will be forever grateful to Adam, Eddy, and ABC for giving me the gift of playing Emma Swan.”
Morrison has agreed to come back for one episode in season seven, though the specific episode has not yet been decided. She also promised to continue attending fan conventions as long as her schedule allows for it. She ended the post by stating, “I will most certainly continue to watch ONCE UPON A TIME. The creativity of the show runners has always inspired me, and I cannot wait to see the ways that they continue to develop and reinvent the show.”
Morrison is not the only cast member that had the opportunity to renew or decline an expiring contract. Series regulars Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, and Colin O’ Donoghue are all in the same boat, though it is expected that they will all return as series regulars if the show is picked up for another season.
The two-hour season finale of Once Upon a Time airs Sunday, May 14 at 8/7c. Check out Morrison’s Twitter post below.