Once Upon a Time season 7: Jared Gilmore, Emilie de Ravin leaving

Unfortunately for Once Upon a Time fans, the bad news keeps coming: Jared Gilmore and Emilie de Ravin are departing the show. Neither will return as regulars for the upcoming season 7, though there may be hope for them in some other capacity. These two names join the likes of Jennifer Morrison, Rebecca Mader (who announced her departure earlier today), plus the long-rumored Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin as the current group of regulars saying farewell to the show.

At the moment, the only actors staying on board are Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, and Colin O’Donoghue. The future of some recurring players will be announced in the weeks and months to come.

To recognize the numerous departures and the likely strong sentiments that would go along with them, executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz released a lengthy statement on the subject. See below for more insight:

“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.”

Now, the show finds itself in the midst of an interesting paradox. Without Horowitz, Kitsis, and the writing staff, there would be no Once Upon a Time season 1, 2, or 6; however, the actors themselves are a significant reason for the success. Will the story of the show sustain an audience? The first challenge will be convincing some of the viewers upset over all of the changes to stick around.

Share below your reaction to the latest stunning Once Upon a Time departures in the comments.

Meanwhile, head over here to secure some further news on the upcoming finale airing on Sunday night. (Photo: ABC.)