Skip to main content

Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 might have devastated fans when Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) and Sarah Drew’s (April Kepner) reunion turned into a farewell episode, but the heartbreak doesn’t compare to Ellen Pompeo’s (Meredith Grey) tweets about the two actors. Here’s what Pompeo said about her former co-stars.

April Kepner (Sarah Drew) and Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) reunited in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17

In Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 14, “Look Up Child,” Jackson went to April and Harriet. Jackson revealed he wanted to take over his family’s foundation. But running the foundation meant he had to move from Seattle to Boston.

“I’m moving to Boston, and I really need you all to come,” Jackson told April. “You’ll be set. You can do whatever you want in terms of an outreach program or design or build anything you want to do. We’ll fund it. I could never leave Harriet, which means I really need you all to come with me.”

In the end, April agreed to move to Boston with her Jackson. She also revealed that she split with her husband, Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening), leaving room for Japril in the future.

Jesse Williams is leaving after ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17

With Jackson and April moving to Boston, Williams announced his departure from Grey’s Anatomy. 

“I will forever be grateful for the boundless opportunities provided me by Shonda, the network, studio, fellow castmates, our incredible crew, Krista [Vernoff], Ellen and Debbie [Allen],” Williams said in a statement, per Deadline. “The experience and endurance born of creating nearly 300 hours of leading global television is a gift I’ll carry always. I am immensely proud of our work, our impact and to be moving forward with so many tools, opportunities, allies and dear friends.”

Meanwhile, Drew shared how she felt to return three years after her own exit to complete Jackson’s arc. 

“I was excited to get to be a part of his departure,” Drew said, per The Hollywood Reporter. “That relationship between the two of us and ‘Japril’ is so meaningful to both of us. It felt like the perfect time to come back and do a special episode to be able to help Jackson make his big departure.”

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Ellen Pompeo tweets about Sarah Drew and Jesse Williams

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey wiping away fake snow in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 | Ron Batzdorff via Getty Images
Related

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Sarah Drew Always Wanted Jackson and April to End Up Together

Following Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 14 many fans understood the impact of the new episode. Not only did the Shondaland drama bring back April after all these years, but the character’s return set up Jackson’s final exit. 

Meanwhile, Pompeo shared her thoughts about the big Grey’s Anatomy episode on social media. When the show’s Twitter account posted a GIF of Jackson crying, Pompeo responded, “Yeah I know the feeling @iJesseWilliams.” Then when a fan pointed out that Giacomo Gianniotti and Justin Chambers, who played Andrew DeLuca and Alex Karev, also left within the past two years, Pompeo tweeted three broken heart emojis. 

Even so, the Grey’s Anatomy star reminded fans that there was still some light with Drew’s return as April. On Twitter, Pompeo revealed that it’s been “emotional” losing characters on the ABC medical drama. Then the actor applauded Drew’s appearance.

“I’ll be honest… it’s emotional but super grateful to @sarahdrew for coming back so this episode can be everything for the fans!” Pompeo wrote. “She is as dedicated to you all as you are to her!”

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights on ABC.

Best in Entertainment