Grey’s Anatomy Fan Favorite Sarah Drew Is Returning—And ‘Japril’ Fans Are Freaking Out

Three years after leaving Grey's Anatomy, Sarah Drew will be returning for a guest appearance during season 17.

Following cathartic cameos by Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight, Deadline announced that Drew will be making an appearance as fan favorite Dr. April Kepner. The actor enthusiastically confirmed the news on Twitter on March 12.

Drew played the trauma surgeon since season six of the medical drama and was featured on the series through season 14, when she was written off the show along with actor Jessica Capshaw.

Fans are particularly thrilled to see Drew return, as many feel there was not enough closure between April and her ex Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). Though the popular pair—referred to as “Japril” by fans—share a daughter, April left the series after quitting her job and marrying Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening) in the season-14 finale. 

“Sarah Drew would never step foot on the Grey's set unless it was for a really good storyline,” one fan speculated. “Japril is reuniting, period.”

While there's no word yet on what Drew's appearance will entail, it's true that her return holds emotional weight for the actor. After her shocking exit from the show in 2018, Drew said it would be “hard” to put the scrubs back on. 

“I really do feel like, because of how it went down, I really had to part ways with April, I just had to,” Drew told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “There was no way for me to live in a space of possibility of her returning and also be healthy in my letting go of all of it, so I really have said goodbye to her.”

“I think saying hello again would be hard,” she added. “But again, I’ll never say never.”

This cameo announcement comes just a few days after the unexpected death of Dr. Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) and amid ongoing discussions over whether or not Grey's Anatomy will end with Season 17. 

“I'm planning a season and a finale that could function as either a season finale or a series finale,” showrunner Krista Vernoff told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview. “I'm planning for both contingencies, and it's hard and it's not ideal. It's not where I wish we were.”

One thing is for sure: They're pulling out all the stops. Welcome back, Sarah Drew and Dr. April Kepner. 

Originally Appeared on Glamour