Jennifer Morrison Spotlights Elena Ferrante in Her Friday Favorites

Once Upon a Time star reveals why Elena Ferrante’s writing sparks passion for storytelling

By Pratibha

On her recent Friday Favorites post, actress Jennifer Morrison invited followers into a quiet moment of literary reverence. The Once Upon a Time star shared an image of herself holding a copy of Elena Ferrante’s latest translation, praising the novelist’s take on creativity and narrative. “Friday Favorites. Elena Ferrante on the pleasures of reading and writing. Her words always remind me why storytelling matters so deeply,” Morrison captioned, drawing a wave of book recommendations from fans.

Why Elena Ferrante?

Elena Ferrante, the pseudonymous author behind the Neapolitan Quartet, has become a global phenomenon for her unflinching exploration of friendship, class and womanhood in postwar Italy. Morrison’s pick highlights Ferrante’s ability to blend intimate emotional truth with sweeping social observation. In her post, Morrison didn’t just praise Ferrante’s prose—she underlined how Ferrante’s reflections on writing itself can resonate across disciplines: from novelists to screen actors.

Ferrante’s work has fueled countless book clubs and inspired a hit HBO adaptation, My Brilliant Friend. By spotlighting Ferrante on a platform usually devoted to behind-the-scenes snaps and career updates, Morrison has underscored her own commitment to storytelling in all its forms.

Morrison’s Reading Rituals

This isn’t Morrison’s first literary shout-out. In an earlier Instagram share, the Star Trek alum noted, “Sometimes the story finds you in the smallest details,” alongside a moody photograph of a typewriter key and pen. On another occasion she reminded followers, “We see the world through our own lens. Always,” illustrating how perspective shapes every narrative choice actors and writers make.

Outside her screen roles, Morrison has written and directed projects of her own. She made her feature debut behind the camera with Sun Dogs (2017), a film that leans on subtle character studies rather than blockbuster thrills. Those creative ventures reinforce the point she makes now: great storytelling begins with a love for language and a habit of attentive reading.

From Screen To Page

Jennifer Morrison first rose to fame as Dr. Cameron on House, and later as Emma Swan on Once Upon a Time. Over the years she has balanced network television hits with indie film roles, but she’s long spoken about the books that shaped her approach to character and dialogue. In interviews, she’s credited authors like Margaret Atwood and Jhumpa Lahiri for teaching her how to inhabit a character’s interior life without ever uttering a single word.

Her Friday Favorites series often blends personal snapshots with cultural recommendations—one week it’s a vintage leather journal, the next a playlist of forgotten piano pieces. By dedicating an installment to Ferrante, Morrison reminds fans that even in the age of streaming and social media, the written word still holds transformative power.

As readers around the world add Ferrante to their TBR lists, Morrison’s post serves as both endorsement and invitation: dive into a novel that interrogates the ties between author and creation, and rediscover why storytelling matters.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a dedicated reader or simply a fan of on-screen magic, Morrison’s latest favorite makes a compelling case for carving out time to read.

In the end, her follow-up message is clear: great stories live in every corner, waiting for readers and writers to notice them—and to pass them on.

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Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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