"Once Upon a Time" was known for its creative twists during its seven-season run, and lead actor Jennifer Morrison's exit was but another twist. As it turned out, Morrison and the other lead actors signed contracts for six seasons when the show started, according to Deadline, and Morrison declined the option to renew her contract when Season 6 wrapped production. Morrison reportedly told series creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis of her decision early in Season 6, but it wasn't announced publicly until the season was nearly over. Season 7 would go on to be the series' last.

"It just felt like everything had come to a really nice place for Emma, and (Horowitz and Kitsis) had set themselves up to really revamp the show with new people in a really interesting creative way," she noted. She explained that she'd been on network television for nearly 13 years straight and needed a creative adjustment, stating, "I'm just at an age and a time in my life where I want to be home, I want to be with my family and my friends, to have a chance to have a personal life for a while, and also wanted to be available to do other creative things."

"Deep down there is a little part of me that wants to do a period piece," Morrison said about future projects. The actor had her directorial debut with "Sun Dogs," following the show. She also returned to the stage, starring in the off-Broadway production of "The End of Longing."