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‘Once Upon A Time’: Jennifer Morrison Won’t Return As Series Regular, Others Near Deals For Season 7

original cast member Jennifer Morrison will not return as a series regular if the AMC fantasy is renewed for a seventh season but is expected to reprise her role as Emma Swan as a guest star/recurring, Morrison, who announced her departure on Instagram, was one of four popular cast members approached by ABC Studios about continuing on the show, which is being reimagined for next season, along with fellow original cast members Lana Parrilla (Regina) and Robert Carlyle (Mr. Gold) as well as Colin O’Donoghue (Hook), who has been a staple on the show since joining as a series regular in Season 2. The other three are expected to come back.

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cast are up at the end of the current season, so Parrilla and Carlyle need new deals while O’Donoghue has another year left on his. I hear Parrilla and Carlyle are close to new pacts. I hear the revamped

is expected to center on Parrilla, Carlyle, O’Donoghue and 

‘s Andrew J. West, who will debut in the upcoming Season 6 finale before joining as a series regular in Season 7.

“The past six years of collaborating with Jennifer as Emma Swan have been truly magical,” said series creators and executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. “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

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.”

Other original cast members, including Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas, who play Emma’s parents, also could appear as guest stars.

after a long stint on another popular drama series Fox’s

. She had said in interviews earlier this season that they were not sure whether they would continue. There had been rumors that Goodwin and Dallas, who got married and had two kids while on the show, had approached Season 6 going in as their final year on the show.

In an interview with Deadline in January, ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey hinted about Season 7 being envisioned as a reboot, opening a new chapter in the franchise after closing the current one after six seasons. “Regardless of what we decide to do at the end of this season, I think (Horowitz and Kitsis) think they would put a little bit of a bow here, and then there is a next piece that comes after that,” she said.“There will be a little bit of closure in this particular narrative.”

remains an important series for ABC with strong Disney DNA and solid DVR and digital play. The current sixth season, in which the Evil Queen had been facing her alter ego, has been building toward the Final Battle between light and darkness, between the savior, Emma, and The Black Fairy.

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. 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. As I move on to other creative endeavors, I will continue to attend the fan conventions whenever my professional schedule allows. I always look forward meeting the fans. If ABC Network does in fact order a season 7, I have agreed to appear in one episode, and 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. #Onceuponatime #EmmaSwan #UglyDucklings

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