Sarah Drew, known for her role as April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy, revealed that her former costar Sandra Oh was a huge inspiration to her. Drew admired Oh’s passion and willingness to fight for her character, Christina Yang, with the show’s writers. She explained on the “Call It What It Is” podcast that watching Oh’s dedication to her character’s development motivated her to be more outspoken as well. Despite the intense discussions, Drew noted that there was real respect between Oh and the writers, and Oh truly cared about every aspect of Yang’s journey.
Drew joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in 2009 and remained on the show until producers decided to let her go, along with Jessica Capshaw, in 2018. They were both written off after the conclusion of season 14. However, Drew later returned to reprise her role as April for episodes in seasons 17 and 18 in 2021 and 2022. Sandra Oh, on the other hand, was one of the original cast members when the show debuted in 2005. She stayed with the series for a decade before exiting after the season 10 finale in 2014. Oh’s influence on Drew during their time together on the show left a lasting impact on the actress’s approach to her own character development and collaboration with the writing team.
Drew recalled how Oh’s actions on set showed her that it was possible to have a collaborative relationship with the writers and be actively involved in crafting her character’s journey. This revelation empowered Drew to voice her opinions and contribute to the development of her character, rather than simply following instructions from the writers. By observing Oh’s passion and dedication to her character, Drew learned the importance of being actively engaged in shaping her character’s trajectory and making meaningful contributions to the storytelling process on Grey’s Anatomy. Oh’s example inspired Drew to advocate for her character and speak up when necessary.
The admiration and respect Drew had for Oh extended beyond her character development work on Grey’s Anatomy. Drew emphasized that Oh’s commitment to her character and her willingness to fight for her storylines showcased a level of professionalism and dedication that inspired Drew to approach her own work with a similar mindset. Oh’s impact on Drew’s career and perspective on acting served as a guiding force, influencing how Drew approached her role as April Kepner and interacted with the show’s creative team. The lessons Drew learned from Oh’s example continue to shape her approach to collaboration and character development in her future projects.
Overall, Sarah Drew’s experience working alongside Sandra Oh on Grey’s Anatomy had a profound effect on her career and approach to acting. Oh’s dedication to her character and her willingness to advocate for her storylines left a lasting impact on Drew’s perspective on acting and collaboration with writers. Drew’s admiration for Oh’s professionalism and passion inspired her to become more outspoken and actively participate in shaping her character’s journey on the long-running medical drama. By observing Oh’s actions and approach on set, Drew gained valuable insights that helped her navigate challenges and advocate for her character’s development, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and collaborative experience as an actress on Grey’s Anatomy.
