‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Sarah Drew Confirms April Kepner’s Return on Instagram: ‘We Have a Date!’
Sarah Drew left Grey’s Anatomy as a full-time cast member in season 14. During her last episode, her character, April Kepner, married the man of her dreams, Matthew Taylor. Additionally, she and her ex-husband, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams), rekindled their friendship after many years of being in an on-and-off relationship.
In March 2021, Drew announced that she would return to Grey’s for a guest-starring role. After several weeks of teasing her fans, the actor confirmed when viewers would see April again.
Sarah Drew played April Kepner on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for nine seasons
Before Grey’s Anatomy, Drew was already a member of the Shondaland tribe. In 2007, she appeared on the Grey’s spinoff, Private Practice starring Kate Walsh. After her stint on the Shonda Rhimes drama, she landed a recurring role as April Kepner. On the show, Drew played an ambitious resident who fans later learn is a devout Christian.
Throughout her nine-season run on Grey’s, Drew’s character married her best friend, Jackson. Together, the couple welcomed a son, Samuel, who died in season 11. Soon after, April got pregnant again with their daughter, Harriett. In season 14, “JApril” were divorced and co-parenting Harriett. However, the season was the final one for Drew and Grey’s series regular Jessica Capshaw. Once she left the show, the actor told The Hollywood Reporter that she was grateful that her time on Grey’s ended.
“[Being let go] was painful when it happened,” Drew said at the time. “But, in retrospect, I think it would have been hard for me to walk away from that job. I was on it for nine years. It feels right, and it feels like a good time to move on to something else with all the great love in my heart that I have for everybody and respect and gratitude for what that experience was.”
Sarah Drew shared the date April Kepner will return to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Drew worked on several other projects. In 2018, the actor worked on TV movies such as Christmas Pen Pals and Twinkle All the Way, per IMDb. Although she moved on, some fans desperately wanted April to come back to Grey Sloan Memorial.
After three seasons away from the medical drama, Deadline reported that Drew would appear on a season 17 episode of Grey’s. The actor also confirmed that April’s episode comes out in May 2021. She shared a photo of her character in a scene from the ABC drama.
“We have a date!” Drew wrote on Instagram. “I’m returning to @GreysABC Thursday, May 6 at 9|8c on ABC!”
‘Grey’s’ cast members reacted to Drew’s return
Following Drew’s Instagram post, several of her Grey’s Anatomy co-stars commented about their support for the actor. Some fans also said how excited they were to see April on their screens again.
“SO FREAKING EXCITED!” actor Jake Borelli said.
“Cannot wait!!” Kelly McCreary replied.
“THE MOMENT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR,” a fan wrote.
“I am so so excited, oh my gosh!!” another exclaimed.
