Summary
Once Upon a Time's Emilie De Ravin left the series after season 6, resulting in her character, Belle, having little involvement in the final season.
Belle's storyline in Once Upon a Time primarily centered on her complicated relationship with Rumplestiltskin, ultimately leading to the birth of their son and a fierce struggle for his moral compass. De Ravin expressed her interest in continuing with the series, although she acknowledged that the showrunners believed Belle's character arc had come to a close. Similarly, other main characters did not make a comeback for the final season.
Emilie De Ravin, who portrayed Belle in Once Upon a Time, departed from the series after season 6. As a result, her character had limited involvement in the final season. Once Upon a Time, an ABC series that aired for a total of seven seasons, reimagined popular Disney fairytales. De Ravin's portrayal of Belle was a unique spin on the iconic character from Beauty and the Beast. While Belle played a significant role throughout most of the series, she only made a guest appearance in season 7, similar to many of the original cast members.
Belle's journey in Once Upon a Time was filled with highs and lows. Her complicated romance with Rumplestiltskin, referred to as the "beast" in this adaptation, brought forth a turbulent storyline. Consequently, much of Belle's character development revolved around her romantic entanglement with the Dark One. Season 6 saw her storyline reach a climax with the birth of her son and the subsequent battle for his morality. However, at the start of Once Upon a Time's final season, De Ravin's name was noticeably absent from the cast list.
Emilie De Ravin Left Once Upon A Time Because Of Belle's Arc
ABC's preparations for Once Upon a Time season 7 were overshadowed by the news that De Ravin would not be continuing with the show. Taking to Instagram, the actor acknowledged that her time on Once Upon A Time had come to an end as the show had decided to take a different creative direction. She extended her congratulations to the returning cast members for the upcoming season, which only included Lana Parrilla, Colin O'Donoghue, and Robert Carlyle.
De Ravin's Instagram post suggests that she had hoped to continue her role, but the showrunners felt that Belle's character arc had reached its conclusion. It's important to note that other central characters like Emma Swan, Snow White, and Prince Charming were also absent in the show's final season. Whether due to the actors' decisions or the storyline's requirements, they were not included in the planned plot.
What Happened To Belle In Once Upon A Time
In Once Upon a Time season 6, Belle appeared to have severed ties with Rumplestiltskin and his wicked ways. However, their separation was complicated when it was discovered that Belle was expecting a child. Trapped in a web spun by Rumplestiltskin's mother, the Black Fairy, Belle's pregnancy was hastened, leading to the theft of their baby and his manipulation against their family. Fortunately, Rumplestiltskin ultimately managed to rescue their child, Gideon, and Belle forgave him for his past misdeeds. This marked the beginning of their happily ever after in the Once Upon a Time storyline.
Despite the conclusion of their story, Rumple, portrayed by Carlyle, continued his role in Once Upon a Time season 7, necessitating the inclusion of additional details regarding Belle's journey. As a result, De Ravin made a guest appearance to further develop the character's life. It was revealed that Belle and Rumple did achieve their long-awaited happily ever after, albeit with one significant challenge – Rumplestiltskin's immortality contrasting with Belle's mortality. De Ravin's return allowed viewers to witness the contented life Belle had shared with her family before eventually passing away of old age. This event inspired Rumplestiltskin to embark on a quest to relinquish his identity as the Dark One and reunite with Belle in death. Although Belle did not play an active role in this resolution, their story concluded with a joyous ending for the Once Upon a Time couple.