After six magical seasons of the hit ABC series Once Upon A Time, the town of Storybrooke is about to receive a major shakeup. Jennifer Morrison, the talented actress behind front-running character Emma Swan, has announced that she will be departing from the series at the end of the sixth season.
In an interview with Deadline, Jennifer Morrison explained in detail her reasoning behind making the decision to decline a seventh season.
“I spent six years on House, a year on How I Met Your Mother and spent six years on Once Upon a Time, and collectively that’s thirteen years of network schedule, which is an amazing and incredible gift but it’s a grueling schedule. I’ve been transitioning into doing more directing, I’ve had some opportunities that I’ve passed up along the years in order to fulfill these network schedules, and I really had to weigh where I was in my life. I’m just at an age and a time in my life where I want to be home, to have a personal life for a while, and also to be available to do other creative things.” (Source Jennifer Morrison / Deadline.com)
With only two episodes left in the sixth season, it is unclear how the series will handle the departure of its savior, Emma Swan. ABC has previously announced that the show had been picked up for a seventh season. Morrison states that she has negotiated to appear in one episode, if the series continues into its seventh season.
“All I can say is that I only negotiated for one episode, and that’s all I can promise at this point.” (Source: Jennifer Morrison / Deadline.com)
Following the announcement of Jennifer Morrison’s departure, it was also announced that fellow cast members Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Rebecca Mader, Emilie de Ravin, and Jared Gilmore would also be leaving the series.
Series seven will shift to follow the story of the now adult Henry Mills, portrayed by Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), and his daughter, Lucy. ABC released the following statement during the release of the new fall schedule:
“After six seasons, the residents of The Enchanted Forest face their greatest challenge yet as The Evil Queen, Captain Hook and Rumplestiltskin join forces with a grown up Henry Mills and his daughter Lucy on an epic quest to once again bring hope to their world and ours. Along the way, new fairy tale characters and old search for true love, find adventure and once again take sides in the struggle of good against evil, as classic tales are once more twisted and reimagined. “ (Source: ABC/ EW.com)
Andrew J. West will be taking on the role of Henry Mills, replacing current actor Jared Gilmore.
In addition to the new storyline, Once Upon a Time will also have a new time slot; Friday at 8/7 Central.
For now, we must all wait and see what the end of season six will bring us. Will it be happily ever after for Emma Swan? Or will she finally meet her demise?
Once Upon a Time airs Sundays on ABC. 8/7 Central
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