What Happened to Sarah Drew?
Sarah Drew is an American actress and director widely recognized for her roles as Dr. April Kepner in 'Grey's Anatomy' and Hannah Rogers in 'Everwood'. Since her departure from 'Grey's Anatomy', Drew has actively pursued a diverse range of projects, including directing, starring in numerous Hallmark Channel movies, and taking on roles in upcoming feature films and television series through 2026.
Quick Answer
Sarah Drew continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment, actively starring in and executive producing the Hallmark Christmas mystery series 'Mistletoe Murders', which was renewed for a third season in early 2026. She also recently premiered the Hallmark romance movie 'The Stars Between Us' in February 2026 and the Lifetime movie 'When I Said I Do' in May 2026. Looking ahead, Drew is set to portray Hedda Hopper in the highly anticipated Jimmy Stewart biopic, 'Jimmy', scheduled for release in November 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Voices Stacy Rowe in 'Daria'
Sarah Drew begins her voice acting career as Stacy Rowe in the MTV animated series 'Daria', a role she continued through 2001.
Professional Stage Debut in 'Romeo and Juliet'
Drew makes her professional stage debut playing Juliet in 'Romeo and Juliet' at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.
Marries Peter Lanfer
Sarah Drew marries Peter Lanfer, a lecturer, with whom she later has two children.
Broadway Debut in 'Vincent in Brixton'
She makes her Broadway debut in 'Vincent in Brixton', a production that later transferred to London's West End.
Stars in 'Everwood'
Drew gains wider recognition for her starring role as Hannah Rogers in The WB family drama series 'Everwood'.
Joins 'Grey's Anatomy'
Sarah Drew is cast as Dr. April Kepner in the sixth season of the ABC medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy', eventually becoming a series regular.
Welcomes First Child, Micah Emmanuel
Drew gives birth to her first child, a son named Micah Emmanuel Lanfer.
Welcomes Second Child, Hannah Mali Rose
Drew and her husband welcome their second child, a daughter named Hannah Mali Rose.
Departs 'Grey's Anatomy'
After nine seasons, Drew's character, Dr. April Kepner, is written off 'Grey's Anatomy', a decision she later described as a 'brutal' firing.
Returns to 'Grey's Anatomy' for Guest Appearance
Drew reprises her role as Dr. April Kepner for a guest appearance in Season 17 of 'Grey's Anatomy', and again in Season 18 (2022).
Stars in Hallmark's 'Mistletoe Murders' Series
Drew begins starring as Emily Lane in the Hallmark Christmas mystery series 'Mistletoe Murders', also serving as an executive producer.
Hallmark's 'The Stars Between Us' Premieres
Drew stars in the Hallmark Channel romance movie 'The Stars Between Us', which premieres as part of their 'Loveuary' programming.
'Mistletoe Murders' Renewed for Season 3; Drew Responds to Critic
Hallmark's 'Mistletoe Murders' is renewed for a third season. Drew responds to a social media critic who called her 'tone deaf' for celebrating amidst other news, emphasizing the ability to find joy while grieving.
Lifetime's 'When I Said I Do' Premieres
Drew stars in the Lifetime original movie 'When I Said I Do', based on a country song, portraying Ali Corley, a widowed search-and-rescue K-9 handler.
Upcoming Release of 'Jimmy' Biopic
Drew is set to appear as Hedda Hopper in the Jimmy Stewart biopic 'Jimmy', which is scheduled for theatrical release.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Sarah Drew, born on October 1, 1980, began her acting career in the late 1990s, notably voicing Stacy Rowe in the animated series 'Daria' from 1997 to 2001. Her professional stage debut came in 2001 as Juliet in 'Romeo and Juliet', followed by her Broadway debut in 'Vincent in Brixton' in 2003. Drew gained significant recognition for her role as Hannah Rogers in The WB's drama series 'Everwood' from 2004 to 2006.
Her most iconic role, however, came in 2009 when she joined the cast of ABC's medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' as Dr. April Kepner. Initially a recurring character, she was promoted to a series regular, becoming a fan favorite for nine seasons. In 2018, Drew's unexpected departure from 'Grey's Anatomy' alongside co-star Jessica Capshaw generated considerable fan discussion. Drew later revealed in March 2026 that her exit was a 'brutal' firing, stating she was told they had 'run out of stories to tell' for her character. Despite the abrupt exit, she received an Emmy nomination for the 'Grey's Anatomy' short-form series 'B-Team' and later returned for guest appearances in the 17th and 18th seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Following her initial departure from 'Grey's Anatomy', Drew expanded her career into directing and took on various television and film roles. She was cast in the CBS 'Cagney & Lacey' reboot pilot in 2018 and starred in the stage production 'I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom'. Her work includes roles in Freeform's 'Cruel Summer' and Apple TV+'s 'Amber Brown'. Drew has also become a familiar face on the Hallmark Channel, starring in movies such as 'One Summer', 'Guiding Emily', 'Christmas in Vienna', and 'Branching Out'.
As of 2026, Sarah Drew remains highly active. She stars in and executive produces the Hallmark Christmas mystery series 'Mistletoe Murders', which received a third-season renewal in February 2026. In February 2026, she premiered the Hallmark romance movie 'The Stars Between Us', co-starring Matt Long. Most recently, on May 23, 2026, her Lifetime movie 'When I Said I Do', based on a Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black song, premiered, where she stars as Ali Corley. Drew is also slated to appear as iconic Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in the biopic 'Jimmy', about Jimmy Stewart, which is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026.
In her personal life, Drew has been married to Peter Lanfer since 2002, and they have two children, Micah Emmanuel (born 2012) and Hannah Mali Rose (born 2014). She is openly Christian, a belief system that has influenced some of her roles and public statements. In February 2026, Drew garnered attention for a thoughtful social media response to a critic who called her 'tone deaf' for celebrating her show's renewal amidst other global tragedies, emphasizing her ability to grieve and celebrate simultaneously.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sarah Drew made different choices?