Grey's Anatomy star was 'unceremoniously' fired from show only to get rehired three years later
Topics: Grey's Anatomy, Entertainment, TV And Film, Celebrity, US News
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Grey's Anatomy, Entertainment, TV And Film, Celebrity, US News
In 2018, one of Grey's Anatomy's longest-serving stars announced her unexpected exit, claiming she'd been 'let go' by producers.
While Sarah Drew's departure from the much-loved medical series hit international headlines at the time, a further head-spinning twist unfolded three years later, when the actress was somehow rehired by writers, despite appearing to have burnt all her bridges.
It all began with a statement shared by the TV star eight years ago.
At the time, Drew had starred as fan-favourite April Kepner on the ABC series for nine years, alongside leading stars Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Chandra Wilson, Richard Webber and Sara Ramirez.
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Drew's first appearance was made in 2009 for the sixth season, when her character, a surgical resident from Mercy West Medical Centre, joined the staff at Seattle Grace Mercy West following the merger of the two hospitals.
After nine instalments, however, April was written off in the season 14 finale by quitting her surgical job to provide medical care for homeless communities.
Sharing a statement on X at the time, actress Drew wrote of the decision: "Hey guys. 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 nine years here. That will come later. For now, I'd like to say: I love you, and I love April, and her story isn't over yet."
Despite the mystery behind Drew's departure from the show, she reappeared as a guest star in 2021.
Her character was brought back for special appearances in both seasons 17 and 18 to conclude her character's romantic storyline, which saw April officially getting back together with her former husband, Jackson Avery.
The move shocked fans at the time, but the biggest surprise came three years later when Drew told Call It What It Is podcast listeners how she'd wound up getting axed from the series in the first place.
In 2024, she slammed her departure as 'mean' and 'unjust', adding: "We were 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 [eulogise you]."
Reflecting on her return, Drew briefly added: "
Drew, who later made a return to the programme for two guest appearances in both season 17 and 18, continued: "I have no attachment to [the show] at all. I had zero anxiety [going back because] - I don’t need anything from anyone on that set anymore."
Referring to the show's producers, she added: "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."