Grey’s Anatomy was given a casting shakeup with its latest episode on Thursday. It served as the final episode to feature Jake Borelli’s Levi Schmitt as a series regular.
After the episode’s airing, Borelli’s exit was addressed by Camilla Luddington, whose Jo Wilson had a particularly close bond with Levi. Behind the scenes, Luddington and Borelli were also very close after their time working together on the hit TV show. In an Instagram post, Luddington shared how Borelli always brought “joy” with him to the set, making days working with him that much better. While they’ll be going their separate ways for now, it was stressed how Borelli will always be one of her favorite co-stars.
“When [Jake Borelli] arrived on set, he brought with him all the sunshine, all the talent, all the laughter and so much joy,” the post stated. “No one could have played Levi Schmitt but him. It is NOT easy as an actor to jump back and forth between comedy and drama, and he does it with such effortless ease. He will always be, hands down, one of my favorite scene partners EVER. To work with him is, in fact, not work at all. I would flip through every script scanning for new Jovi scenes because I always knew that was going to be a fantastic filming day. From the moment he dropped his glasses into a body, and then onto *my* body. I have had to stifle all the laughter. Raising a glass to him tonight, and to Levi Schmitt. I will always say yes to scrubbing in with you.
He will always be, hands down, one of my favorite scene partners EVER
She added, “Ps. You owe rent on the loft.”
Borelli’s exit was explained in the series by having Levi choose to move to Texas. Before leaving, the character had a heartfelt moment with Jo, who told him before he left, “Getting drunk and sleeping with you was the best mistake I ever made.” This goes back to when the pair had a one night stand before Levi realized his sexuality. The two would become much closer as friends, with Jo also offering Levi, “Will you be my babies’ godfather?”
Grey’s Anatomy Sees Multiple Series Regular Exits This Season
This marks Borelli’s departure as a series regular, but it’s been hinted that there may be special appearances in the future. That means that a reunion with Jo down the line is not off the table, though it remains unclear for now when Borelli might pop up on the series. Borelli is not the only major cast member to be stepping down this season, which also is bringing about the departure of Midori Francis as Mr. Mika Yasuda.
New episodes of Grey’s Anatomy air on Thursdays on ABC.
