It had already been confirmed last week that Jennifer Morrison would not be present for the rebooted Once Upon a Time which was recently renewed for Season 7.
Now, ABC is confirming that Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White), Josh Dallas (Prince Charming), Emilie de Ravin (Belle), Rebecca Mader (Zelena), and Jared S. Gilmore (Henry) are leaving the series too. Executive Producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis shared some kind words for the actors in a statement that you can find below; many are expected to return for guest appearances in Season 7. Lana Parrilla (Regina/the Evil Queen), Colin O’Donoghue (Hook), and Robert Carlyle (Rumpelstiltskin) have signed new deals and are staying.
It is rumored that Andrew J. West‘s new character is an older version of Henry, so a time jump may be involved.
Words can’t do justice to what Ginny, Josh, Emilie, Rebecca and Jared brought to ONCE UPON A TIME… but we’ll try… never have we had the privilege of working with a more talented group of collaborators. Each brought unique talent, incredible intelligence, and their own individual bit of magic as they gave life to these iconic characters.
Ginny reinvented Snow White for a modern audience – there was no way she would be stuck cleaning up after dwarfs, she created an iconic empowered heroine for the 21st century.
Josh mined the depths of Prince Charming – a character who in myth was just a “type” but in his superlative interpretation became a complex man fighting for love and family.
Emilie took the character of Belle to a deep and soulful place, bringing great intelligence and warmth to the character, making her fiercely independent, strong willed but also an eternal optimist who saw only the best in all those she encountered.
Rebecca took us on a broomstick roller coaster ride as she re-invented the Wicked Witch of the West by finding the pain beneath the green. She made the character soar to incredible heights while always keeping her grounded and relatable.
And Jared literally grew up before the eyes of millions, from a child actor with enormous innate talent to a young man whose abilities continue to astound as he created a character who truly, as we say on the show, has the heart of the truest believer.
We can’t thank them enough for the hard work, dedication, and passion they delivered day in and day out. Without them there would be no ONCE UPON A TIME.
As ONCE continues, this group will always be the beating heart of the show. And even though we won’t be with them every week, in a show about magic and hope, we fervently believe it won’t be the last we see of them.
Photos from the Once Upon A Time season finale can be found here.
