Sarah Drew has opened up about her departure from Grey’s Anatomy and reflected on the impact it had on her career. The 44-year-old actress first appeared on the hit show in 2009, portraying the role of April Kepner. After nearly a decade on the series, she was let go in 2018, a move that she now describes as “mean and unjust.”
In a candid interview on the Call It What It Is podcast, Sarah compared the experience of being fired to something deeply personal. “We were unceremoniously let go in a way that felt really mean and unjust,” she shared, as reported by People. “And, because of that, the outpouring of love was so enormous it was like you were sitting there watching people say all the things that they love about you after you’re dead.”
This difficult moment in her career was softened by the overwhelming support from fans and colleagues, which made her realize how much love people had for her character and performance. While the exit may have been harsh, the actress has since found peace and moved forward.
Reflecting on her time away from the series, Sarah explained that she now feels detached from her former role and has no lingering anxieties about the show. “I have zero anxiety, and I don’t need anything from anybody on that set anymore,” she admitted. “When you’re on the show, you never know what’s gonna happen. You never know if they’re gonna lose interest in your story line or if you piss off the wrong person, then something’s gonna happen. Like, you don’t know.”
For Sarah, returning to Grey’s Anatomy in recent guest appearances has become more of a light-hearted experience. “It’s just a fun spot to come visit,” she said, highlighting how she now enjoys being part of the show without any pressure or expectations.
Despite her tumultuous exit, Sarah credits Grey’s Anatomy with giving her career a significant boost, especially after her character, April, was romantically linked to Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams. That on-screen relationship allowed her to break away from typecast roles.
“I was just telling somebody else about this before — prior to my character getting with Jesse Williams, I’ve always played awkward, grating, annoying, ugly duckling, not beautiful [characters],” she explained. “I was ugly until my character started dating Jesse, and now I play romantic leads.”
It’s clear that although her exit from Grey’s Anatomy was painful, it also opened new doors for her career, giving her the opportunity to expand her range as an actress. From playing awkward and quirky characters to starring as romantic leads, Sarah Drew’s career has evolved in ways that may not have happened without her time on Grey’s Anatomy.
Now, as she returns to the series from time to time, she’s able to enjoy the experience without the stress or uncertainty she once felt. Her story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and how sometimes, even difficult moments can lead to growth and opportunity.
