The long-running series Grey's Anatomy has had many casting shakeups over the years, and some actors have been cut loose from the series long before they were ready to say goodbye. That applies to April Kepner actor Sarah Drew, who can still recall how it seemed "unjust" when she was fired without warning from her role in the series back in 2018.
Per TVLine, Drew opened up on her Grey's Anatomy exit during an interview for the Call It What It Is podcast, which is hosted by former cast mates Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington. At the time of her firing six years ago, Drew made a comment that compared getting fired from the series to "attending [my] own funeral," and it was given a significant amount of attention in the media. Drew now clarifies that it was the "outpouring of love" from those offering support that made the experience feel like a funeral more so than getting her pink slip.
“What I was trying to describe was… [I] was unceremoniously let go in a way that felt mean and unjust, and, because of that, the outpouring of love was so enormous it was like you were sitting there watching people [eulogize you]," she explained. "
In a social media post shared after her firing in March 2018, Drew previously stated, "Thank you for all of the love. I know you’re sad. I’m sad too. I haven’t really had the time to process this information. I’ve been with it for less than 48 hours, so I’m not ready to say my thank yous and give an all encompassing statement about my 9 years here. That will come later."
She further teased, "For now, I’d like to say: I love you. And I love April, and her story isn’t over yet."
Drew did get the chance to return as April, though they were for brief appearances. Her first return was in 2021, and she made another guest appearance in 2022. For her part, Drew enjoys coming back for quick cameos, as Grey's Anatomy is no longer a job that she's dependent on, meaning she has no anxiety on the set. However, she remains grateful for landing her role on Grey's, noting how it was her character's relationship with Jackson (Jesse Williams) that helped launch her career in another direction.
Sarah Drew Finds It Fun to Visit Grey's Anatomy
"I had zero anxiety [going back because] I don’t need anything from anyone on that set anymore," she said. "They’re not responsible for my livelihood anymore. They’re not responsible for my success or my joy… I’m like, ‘Hey! This is a fun spot to come visit.’”
Drew added, "Prior to [April] getting with [Jackson], I always played awkward, grating, annoying, ugly duckling, not-beautiful people… I was ugly until my character started dating [Jackson on Grey’s]. And now I’m playing romantic leads.”
Grey's Anatomy is streaming on Hulu.
Source: Call It What It Is