Sarah Drew Shares Emotional Behind-the-Scenes Photos From 'Grey's Anatomy' Episode

Jennifer Drysdale‍
Updated
Dr. April Kepner is OK -- but we certainly weren't after seeing these pics.

Dr. April Kepner is OK -- but we certainly weren't after seeing these pics.

Sarah Drew took to Instagram on Thursday to share behind-the-scenes pics from her emotional episode of Grey's Anatomy, in which her character, April, almost lost her life in a car accident with her former fiance, Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening).

It took everything the Grey Sloan doctors had to keep it together when April arrived to the ER as good as dead, with many -- including her ex-husband, Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) -- breaking into tears. In one particularly heartwrenching scene, Jackson appealed to a higher power to bring April back to life, and if you're wondering how Drew and Williams got through it, they didn't.

"It was agonizing for me, because I wanted so badly to reach out and offer him support in the scene- to let him lean on me - cuz that’s what we do for each other- but I had to just lie there unconscious letting him do his beautiful work alone," Drew explained on Instagram, alongside a tearful shot of herself and Williams after the scene.

"Our partnership on this show has been so sweet, so collaborative, so challenging (in the absolute BEST way). We got to tell stories that really matter, that have reached out and provided a safe space for people to love, laugh, mourn and grow," she continued. "I will be forever grateful to my co-captain for the 9 years of friendship and for the opportunity to tell such beautiful stories together. Thank you, Jesse ❤️❤️❤️."

See more BTS photos from the emotional day on set below:

First of all, Jesse knocked this scene completely out of the park. His performance destroyed me. Wow. Secondly, For me, this photo speaks volumes about our partnership. Jesse and I had some very trying stories to tell over the years and there were many moments when we really needed to lean on each other to get through them. And we did. To name a few: Samuel’s death, signing divorce papers, when Harriet was cut out of me (Jesse was on set to do the off camera phone call), when April tells Jackson she needs to move out because it’s just too hard. The scene right here where Jackson prays over April was one of those moments. It was agonizing for me, because I wanted so badly to reach out and offer him support in the scene- to let him lean on me - cuz that’s what we do for each other- but I had to just lie there unconscious letting him do his beautiful work alone. So, after he finished his coverage, I reached out to hug him and our makeup artist @lovveeani caught it on film. Our partnership on this show has been so sweet, so collaborative, so challenging (in the absolute BEST way). We got to tell stories that really matter, that have reached out and provided a safe space for people to love, laugh, mourn and grow. I will be forever grateful to my co-captain for the 9 years of friendship and for the opportunity to tell such beautiful stories together. Thank you, Jesse ❤️❤️❤️. Photocred @lovveeani

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:47pm PDT

Here are some of my favorite people on the planet. While shooting this scene my heart was so full of joy and sadness at the same time that it was almost unbearable. As I was looking up at all of these beautiful faces, smiling down at me with so much love, happy to see April alive and well, I was overcome with sadness about the reality of not being with all of these people in the same place in the same way ever again. But, I was ALSO overcome with the joy of having had the opportunity in my life to know such gorgeous people whom I have loved, who have loved me so well for 9 years. During a break in the scene, I felt the tears coming and I looked over and made eye contact with Caterina and Chandra and they whisked me away and let me feel my feelings all over them. It was such a sweet moment of friendship. What I keep experiencing since the moment I was let go, is the tremendous joy that is present in the midst of my sorrow. It felt horrible to be asked to leave my family of 9 years, and I have experienced real, deep grief over it, BUT I have ALSO been so buoyed up by my cast, my crew, the fans, and my family in such extraordinary ways, that I wouldn’t trade any moment of it for the world. I keep describing my experience over the last two months as being “love-bombed” because between the conversations, the hugs, the letters, the tweets, the plane(!), that’s truly what I’ve felt. Love-bombed. In the wake of being let go, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude, and I’ve felt profoundly loved. I am so humbled and so thankful. Get ready for so many more pics and love notes next week. ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:53pm PDT

So much love in one pic. ❤️❤️❤️ #chandrawilson

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:55pm PDT

While we were in the middle of shooting this scene, just before my coverage, it occurred to me that this was April and Bailey’s final scene together. When I realized it, I had to sing happy songs to myself to keep from losing it while the camera was on me. As soon as we finished the scene, I unplugged myself from all of the wires as fast as I could and ran into Chandra’s arms, and Kelly captured this moment between the two of us. Chandra has been a true friend and mentor to me, as an actor, a director and a human. I admire her strength of character and her determination to choose joy in any and all circumstances. I want to be like her when I grow up ☺️☺️ On my last day shooting, she gave me a goodbye letter that she had written from Bailey to April. It was the most incredible gift I never knew I needed. It helped me gain perspective, reminded me of my worth, and brought everything full circle for me. I love my Chandra. #chandrawilson #photocred @seekellymccreary

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:56pm PDT

This is Bill Harper. He wrote this beautiful episode. I was so moved when I read it. I was SO grateful that he wrote such a gorgeous tribute to April. It captures who she is and what she means to the people in her life, and I felt like she was profoundly loved through it. Thank you Bill.

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:58pm PDT

This was taken just moments after my final scene on the Grey’s Anatomy stages. I love these two very much. #chandrawilson @jessicacapshaw

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:58pm PDT

Magic hour by the trailers... There were so many “lasts” during this episode. This was my last episode shooting on the Grey’s Anatomy stages. So many conversations have happened by these trailers in the past 9 years. It was sweet to finish out my night with these two beautiful souls. @jessicacapshaw @caterinascorsone

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:58pm PDT

@ijessewilliams ☺️☺️☺️

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 9:14pm PDT

Here are some fun shots of me with “me”! Creepy....

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:20pm PDT

So. This was a first for me. I had to have a life cast done so they could make a fake “me” so they could do really violent compressions on “me” without hurting me. Here are some photos of the process. It was pretty claustrophobic but the end result was SO cool!

A post shared by Sarah Drew (@thesarahdrew) on May 10, 2018 at 8:15pm PDT

While April certainly had a close call, Ellen Pompeo assured ET that both Drew's and Jessica Capshaw's characters won't have "tragic" departures from the show. ET learned that the fan favorites were leaving the series in March. Season 14 will be their last.

"You only get killed off when your behavior is bad. If you're a nice actor, you die nice," Pompeo said matter-of-factly, comparing Capshaw and Drew's endings to that of former Grey's star Sandra Oh. "[She] left in the most amazing way. She gave everybody so much notice. She knew 10 seasons was all she wanted to do and they don't get much classier than Sandra Oh. But yeah, these endings aren't tragic."

See more in the video below.

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