Sarah Drew's departure from Grey's Anatomy left fans reeling. Her portrayal of Dr. April Kepner had become iconic, and her exit came as a shock to many who had grown to love her character. The actress, now 43, found her time on the show deeply rewarding, and her decision to leave wasn’t an easy one. Fans were left wondering why such a beloved character would be written out of the series.
In a candid conversation on Jana Kramer’s “Whine Down” podcast, Sarah revealed her feelings about leaving the long-running medical drama. “I loved it there. It was such a beautiful time and experience, and I would never have left on my own accord,” she shared. Her words reflect the bittersweet nature of her departure, a moment that was both painful and filled with unexpected joy.
Why the Decision to Leave?
The decision to write Sarah and her costar Jessica Capshaw out of the show was made by the producers in 2018. At the time, showrunner Krista Vernoff explained that it was purely a creative choice. Despite the clarity from the production team, fans were left confused and upset. “Nobody understood it,” Sarah admitted. “It was so confusing, but at the same time, it was piercingly joyful because I had a few more weeks on the show after knowing I was leaving, and the fans’ outpouring of love was incredible.”
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Leaving Grey’s Anatomy after nine years was undoubtedly challenging for Sarah, but she was touched by the heartfelt farewell she received from her costars and crew. Her departure wasn’t just about saying goodbye to a character; it was about saying goodbye to a family she had grown to love over nearly a decade.
A Farewell to Remember
On her last day on set, Sarah was overwhelmed by the love and appreciation shown to her. “They put together these boxes for us, filled with letters from everyone,” she reminisced. “I had crew members coming up to me, recalling moments from years ago, saying things like, ‘There was this one conversation we had five years ago, and it meant so much to me. I wanted to thank you before you go.’”
Sarah realized that had she stayed on the show indefinitely, she might not have experienced the profound sense of closure and gratitude that came with her exit. “If I had stayed forever and left when everyone else did, I wouldn’t have experienced the overwhelming wave of love that I felt on my last day. It was a visceral love bomb, and I’ll always cherish that experience,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
Reflecting on Her Journey
Show creator Shonda Rhimes and executive producer Betsy Beers both reached out to Sarah to reflect on her incredible journey on Grey’s Anatomy. “I was so overwhelmed by how much love I felt on that set,” Sarah recalled. “All I could do was cry. I was crying on the phone, thanking them for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing family and legacy. That’s all I could feel—pure joy and gratitude.”
Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Sarah has appeared in several Hallmark films, including Christmas in Vienna, One Summer, and Guiding Emily. Fans were thrilled when she returned to reprise her role as Dr. Kepner in season 17 and season 18 of the show, proving that her connection to the Grey’s Anatomy family remains strong.
