'Once Upon a Time': Jennifer Morrison not returning in Season 7; Show set for a revamp

By Maria A. / May 09, 2017 12:12 PM EDT
(Photo : Getty Images/ABC) Jennifer Morrison as Emma on Once Upon A Time season six.

In a shocking twist of fate "Once Upon a Time" lost its lead star Jennifer Morrison, who was recently announced to have decided against reprising her role in the seventh season of the hit fantasy series.

Morrison, who played main character Emma Swan from "Once Upon a Time" Season 1 to Season 6, is one of the four popular cast members approached by ABC Studios to reprise their roles in the show, which will be reimagined in its seventh season, Deadline reports. The other three cast members, Lana Parilla, Robert Carlyle and Colin O'Donoghue are expected to return in the next season.

 The "Once Upon a Time" Season 7 reboot is said to focus on Parilla's, Carlyle's and O'Donoghue's characters. The show will also introduce another integral character which will be portrayed by "The Walking Dead" alum Andrew J. West.

In an interview with Deadline, Morrison revealed her reason for leaving "Once Upon a Time," which most had to do with a grueling "network 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," Morrison explained, and added she's at a point in her life where she wants to spend more time at home and be with her family and friends.

As for her character, Emma, Morrison said she believes Emma has come to a really nice place and the show has prepared itself for the revamp creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis already have in mind. It was also revealed that Morrison had long decided not to come back for a seventh season, but the decision was not made public until the most recent episode where Emma and Hook got married.

However, Morrison is not completely closing her doors to "Once Upon a Time," saying she would be happy to return for one episode in Season 7, if ever the show gets its much-awaited renewal.