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Grey's Anatomy Spoilers: April Kepner And Arizona Robbins Leaving After Season 14
Today's Grey's Anatomy shocker has us pretty upset. But, are the rumors true? Is Sarah Drew leaving Grey's Anatomy? Is Jessica Capshaw leaving Grey's Anatomy? Unfortunately, we've got some devastating news, Grey's Anatomy fans! It looks like Jessica Capshaw, who plays Dr. Arizona Robbins, and Sarah Drew, who plays Dr. April Kepner, will be leaving Grey's Anatomy at the end of season 14 as series regulars. And no. We are not okay. But, why are April and Arizona leaving Grey's Anatomy? Showrunners Shonda Rhimes and Krista Vernoff chat about Capshaw and Drew's departure from our favorite medical drama, while Drew and Capshaw respond to fans through social media. And yes, it's as heartbreaking as you think.
Why Are Arizona Robbins And April Kepner Leaving Grey's Anatomy?
So, why are Capshaw and Drew leaving Grey's Anatomy? Both Rhimes and Vernoff released a statement to Deadline that explained why Arizona and April are exiting the Grey's family.
According to Deadline, the decision not to include Capshaw and Drew as series regulars past season 14 of Grey's was based on the show's creative direction.
The characters of Arizona and April are permanently woven into the fabric of Grey’s Anatomy thanks to the extraordinary work of Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew,” Vernoff said. “As writers, our job is to follow the stories where they want to go and sometimes that means saying goodbye to characters we love. It has been a joy and a privilege to work with these phenomenally talented actresses.”
Phenomenal, indeed. But, what exactly does this mean? Will we see Arizona or April again? Shonda might have a thing or two to say about that.
Will April And Arizona Come Back After Season 14?
We cannot imagine Grey's without April or Arizona, as they became pillars of the show themselves, representing two entirely different and inspiring women. But, Rhimes spoke up about their influence on the show and the Shondaland family that has us (and Deadline) thinking that we might see them again.
"It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to any of my characters,” Rhimes said. “Both Arizona Robbins and April Kepner are not only beloved but iconic — both the LBGTQ and devout Christian communities are underrepresented on TV. I will be forever grateful to both Jessica and Sarah for bringing these characters to life with such vibrant performance and for inspiring women around the globe. They will always be a part of our Shondaland family.”
And while this might hint that the two will be back one day, we still have so many questions. When was this decision was made? How much longer we'll get to see April and Arizona on Grey's?
Jessica Capshaw To Her Departure From Grey's Anatomy
Jessica Capshaw also had something to say about her departure.
“For the past ten years I have had the rare privilege of not only playing Arizona Robbins but also being madly in love with playing her,” Capshaw shared on her Twitter “Arizona Robbins is kind, intelligent, funny, insightful, bold, playful, fierce and really good at her job. She was one of the first members of the LGBTQ community to be represented in a seres regular role on network television. Her impact on the world is permanent and forever. Forever. I am grateful that I have gotten to bring her to life and for the life that she has brought to me. I am sad to see her go but I am consoled by the idea that she will continue to live on and on in all of our consciences and our imaginations. Shonda, thank you for the ride on this incredible rollercoaster.”
— Jessica Capshaw (@JessicaCapshaw) March 8, 2018
I'm not crying! You're crying! And just wait until you read Drew's statement...
Sarah Drew's Statement To Her Departure From Grey's Anatomy
It turns out that this announcement is as shocking to us as it is to the actors.
"Thank you for all of the love," Sarah Drew wrote on a note to her Twitter followers. "I know you’re sad. I’m sad too. I haven’t really had the time to process this information. I’ve been with it for less than 48 hours, so I’m not ready to say my thank yous and give an all encompassing statement about my 9 years here. That will come later. For now, I’d like to say: I love you. And I love April, and her story isn’t over yet. And the really good news (for me, at least) is that I’m here on set shadowing one of my favorite people, Kevin McKidd, with my beloved Grey’s family all this week and next, so I get to process all of my feelings surrounded by the community that has nourished and nurtured me for almost a decade. For that, I am so grateful.”
https://t.co/IIBdRdCH9D pic.twitter.com/K9rdrcJXGx
— Sarah Drew (@sarahdrew) March 8, 2018
Drew's statement is heartbreaking for fans to read. However, we're happy to have a few more weeks of new Arizona and April scenes. This means that we'll get to at least say goodbye to the two characters at the end of season 14, right? They'll make it to the season finale? Please, Shonda! And speaking of, how will Arizona and April leave Grey's?
How Will Arizona Robbins And April Kepner Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Does an Arizona and April departure seem a little out of left field? A little bit. We're incredibly curious to see how Shonda and Krista write the two characters out of the show, but we hope they get a departure like Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) or Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) rather than like Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). In a show like Grey's, you can never be too sure! Whatever happens, we'll be preparing the tissues.
How do you feel about Arizona and April's departure? And this definitely means that Jackson and Maggie are endgame, right?