Why Sarah Drew’s April Kepner Left Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 (& Came Back In Season 17)

April Kepner, a main character in Grey’s Anatomy, left after season 14, but she returned at the end of season 17 as a special guest star. Grey’s Anatomy is notorious for writing off characters. The show is unafraid to kill beloved fan-favorites; Grey’s Anatomy even killed Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan within episodes of one another. If Grey’s Anatomy decides to keep a character alive, the show often writes them off in divisive ways. For example, Alex Karev’s Grey’s Anatomy exit was highly controversial because it unraveled years of character development.

Callie Torres also moved across the country to New York after engaging in a ruthless custody battle with Arizona over their daughter, Sofia. And Izzie Stevens unexpectedly leaving in Grey’s Anatomy season 6 is probably the show’s most prominent example, with the lack of closure for Izzie leaving many viewers disappointed. There was another character exit that is not as controversial but still drew complaints, especially given how unexpected it was. Sarah Drew, who portrayed April Kepner, made an untimely exit at the end of Grey’s Anatomy season 14.

Sarah Drew Was Written Out Of Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Was Sarah Drew’s Last Season As Part Of The Main Cast

Drew left Grey’s Anatomy in season 14, episode 24, “All of Me.” It was a huge shock, especially since Jackson and April’s relationship was a fan-favorite in Grey’s Anatomy. Jackson and April were expected to get back together, so it felt like a slap in the face when April spontaneously decided to marry her ex, Matthew Taylor. At the time, Drew told The Hollywood Reporter that April Kepner’s untimely exit was because “the show had too many characters and that they needed to downsize because they couldn’t service all of the characters effectively.”

It is ironic that Grey’s Anatomy wrote off April Kepner for this reason, as rushing her marriage with Matthew right after they reconnected was a huge disservice to her character. Drew correctly said that April’s journey with faith came full circle, and Grey’s Anatomy beautifully captured that aspect of the character. However, April and Matthew’s unexpected romantic reconciliation was unnecessary and even distasteful, especially so soon after losing his wife. It would have been much more effective if April and Matthew had just reconnected as close friends.

How Grey’s Anatomy Handled April Kepner’s Departure (& Return)

April Resigned From Grey-Sloan & Appeared Years Later When Jackson Wanted To Move To Boston

In Grey’s Anatomy season 14, episode 23, “Cold as Ice,” April and Matthew get into a car accident, which leads to April falling into a ravine. Owen only discovers her after returning to the scene of the accident. The remainder of the episode involves the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital attempting to warm up April from hypothermia and then revive her. After the accident, April resigns from the hospital and dedicates her time to volunteering at a clinic that provides healthcare for Seattle’s homeless community.

The accident also prompts April and Matthew to get married spontaneously in the season finale, marking April’s exit from the show. However, Drew returns as April Kepner in Grey’s Anatomy season 17, episode 14, “Look Up Child,” to discuss moving to Boston with Jackson. At this point, April and Matthew have broken up. Although April and Jackson move to Boston with their daughter, Harriet, this arc does not end with a romantic reconciliation. Grey’s Anatomy avoids that common mistake, only implying that the two will rekindle their romance instead of confirming it.

What Sarah Drew Has Said About Leaving Grey’s Anatomy

Despite Her Initial Resentment, Sarah Drew Has Made Peace With Grey’s Anatomy

Although Drew was initially upset about being fired from Grey’s Anatomy, she seems to have come to terms with it. Recently, Drew reflected on her Grey’s Anatomy firing, noting that the decision “felt mean and unjust.” However, her willingness to return as April Kepner proves that the actor has no negative feelings. Drew said that she has “no attachment” to the show and has “zero anxiety” about returning because she does not “need anything from anyone on that set.” It is a relief that Drew has been willing to return as April and move past her ill-timed firing.

But while Drew may have come to terms with leaving Grey’s Anatomy, it remains frustrating for viewers that April’s initial ending isn’t satisfying. It’s even more mind-boggling when Jackson admits he still isn’t over April in Grey’s Anatomy season 15, sparking questions about why she was written off. Fortunately, Grey’s Anatomy finally gives April Kepner the conclusion she deserves upon Drew’s return in season 17. And Grey’s Anatomy season 18 sees Jackson and April reappearing and revealing they’re back together, finally giving justice to April and Drew.