Sarah Drew Reflects on Her Bittersweet Departure from 'Grey's Anatomy'
Sarah Drew reflects on her departure from 'Grey's Anatomy', describing it as a pivotal moment that had both positive and negative impacts on her career growth
Sarah Drew Vincent Sandoval/Getty Images
Sarah Drew’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy was unexpected for her and her fans. Now, though, she sees it as a positive change. During an episode of Jana Kramer’s “Whine Down” podcast on Monday, November 27, the 43-year-old actress reflected, “I loved it there. It was a wonderful time and experience, so I wouldn’t have left. But if I hadn’t left, I wouldn’t be writing, producing, or engaging my brain and heart in these other fulfilling activities that have brought me so much joy.”
In March 2018, the producers announced that Drew, who portrayed Dr. April Kepner, and her co-star Jessica Capshaw, who played Dr. Arizona Robbins, would be leaving the ABC medical drama after the conclusion of season 14. "Nobody understood it," Drew said. "It was so confusing, which is why I say that it was so painful but piercingly joyful because I had another couple of weeks still on the show after knowing that I was going, and the outpouring of the love from the fans." The fans expressed their appreciation by hiring a plane to fly over the set with a banner that read, "We love you Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw." Drew also mentioned that she was deeply moved by the goodbye gifts she received from other cast and crew members.
On our final day, they assembled these boxes for us. Each person had written us a letter, and I had crew members approaching me saying, 'There was this one moment, five years ago, when we had this conversation.' It meant so much to me, and I wanted to thank you before you leave.' If I had stayed on the show forever and left when everyone else did, I would not have experienced the overwhelming love and support that I received.
At that time, Drew also received a phone call from show creator Shonda Rhimes and executive producer Betsy Beers, neither of whom were responsible for her character being written off. "I was so overwhelmed by the love I received on that set that all I could do was cry," Drew said. "I was literally just sobbing on the phone with joy, thanking them for the opportunity they had given me to be a part of this family and this legacy. That's truly the only thing I was feeling. I was overcome with emotion."
ABC/Eric McCandless
Drew cherishes the feeling of being "so intensely loved" on the show and wouldn't exchange it for anything. "The reality of holding onto those two emotions, pain and joy, that's just life," Drew explained. "We're constantly experiencing that journey. My constant drive and motivation is to embrace the pain, acknowledge it, and seek out the beauty within it. I am a seeker of the glory amidst the hardship."
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Drew returned to her role as April for episodes in 2021 and 2022, reuniting with her on-screen love Dr. Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams. The pair has expressed interest in a spinoff, with Drew stating in September 2022 that she believes the series could serve as a prequel.
"I'd like to go back in time to see them rekindle their romance," she explained. "We only got a glimpse of them getting back together, but I would love to see the journey. The push and pull and the will they won't they."
