7 Shocking Ways Sarah Drew Has Reinvented Her Career After Grey's Anatomy (The 2025 Update)
Sarah Drew, the beloved actress known globally for her nine-season run as Dr. April Kepner on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, is currently undergoing a massive and fascinating career reinvention. As of December 21, 2025, Drew is no longer just an actress; she has seamlessly transitioned into a multi-hyphenate role as a writer, director, and executive producer, headlining a major new television series that marks a significant pivot from the high-stakes drama of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Her latest and most talked-about project is a cozy mystery series that highlights her creative control and showcases her evolution as a powerful force in Hollywood.
This comprehensive deep dive explores the current, up-to-date trajectory of Sarah Drew's career, focusing heavily on her latest endeavors and the personal journey that has fueled her professional transformation. From her new lead role in a highly anticipated streaming series to her life as a mother and her faith-driven creative choices, here are the seven most shocking and inspiring ways Sarah Drew has completely redefined her professional life in the mid-2020s, providing a fresh look at the star beyond her iconic surgical scrubs.
Sarah Drew: Complete Biography and Profile
Sarah Drew is an American actress, director, and producer whose career spans animation, stage, television, and film.
- Full Name: Sarah White Drew
- Date of Birth: October 1, 1980
- Age: 45 (as of late 2025)
- Place of Birth: Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
- Education: Graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002 with a B.A. in Drama.
- Parents: Her father, Charles Drew, is a pastor, and her mother, Jeannie Drew, is a doctor.
- Spouse: Peter Lanfer (married June 17, 2002)
- Children: Two children (a son and a daughter).
- Faith: She is a devout Christian, a belief that has often aligned with and influenced her professional roles, notably her character on Grey's Anatomy.
- Early Career Highlights: Known for voicing Stacy Rowe in the MTV animated series Daria (1997–2001) and playing Hannah Rogers in the series Everwood.
- Breakthrough Role: Dr. April Kepner on Grey's Anatomy (2009–2018, with guest appearances after).
The Massive Hallmark Pivot: Executive Producer and Star of 'Mistletoe Murders'
The most significant and recent development in Sarah Drew’s career is her major move to Hallmark Media.
Drew is not only the lead actress but also an executive producer on the new Hallmark mystery series, Mistletoe Murders. This hands-on creative role represents a fearless reinvention for the actress, allowing her to step into a new spotlight as a multi-hyphenate talent.
A New Character and Genre: Emily Lane
In Mistletoe Murders, Sarah Drew plays the lead role of Emily Lane.
The series is a cozy Christmas mystery, a distinct departure from the intense medical drama she is most famous for. The show is based on a globally successful Audible podcast of the same name.
The first six episodes of the series launched on October 31, 2024, on the Hallmark+ streaming platform. This project is a powerful statement about her new creative direction, showcasing her ability to lead a production from behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera.
The transition to writing, directing, and producing is a natural progression for Drew, who has stated that she was always involved in writing and directing in leadership roles, even during high school and college.
Beyond April Kepner: Sarah Drew's Evolving Creative Roles and Personal Life
While her time on Grey's Anatomy was transformative—she gained a voice and made lifelong friendships—her current work is focused on challenging herself in new ways. Her career now reflects a deep engagement with her personal passions, including her faith, family, and a desire for more creative control.
1. The Director's Chair
Drew has actively pursued directing, proving her commitment to working behind the camera. She has directed episodes of television, including a notable episode of the Freeform series Cruel Summer. This move signifies her growth from a performer to a complete storyteller, a goal she had been nurturing for years. Her experience as an executive producer on Mistletoe Murders is a culmination of this directorial ambition.
2. Focusing on Family and Faith-Based Stories
Sarah Drew is married to Peter Lanfer, a lecturer, and they have two children, a son and a daughter. Her interviews often reflect on the challenges and joys of raising tweens and teens while managing a demanding career.
Her work often touches on themes of family and personal values. For example, her character in one of her movies was a single mom, which allowed her to reflect on the meaning of family in her personal life. Her Christian faith is a central part of her life, and she often seeks out projects that align with her beliefs, a characteristic she shared with her famous character, Dr. April Kepner.
3. The 'Japril' Legacy and Reunion
Despite leaving Grey's Anatomy in 2018, the legacy of her character, Dr. April Kepner, and the fan-favorite relationship "Japril" (April and Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams) remains a huge part of her entity.
Drew has returned for guest appearances, most recently in the season 18 finale, which delighted longtime fans. The ongoing discussion and occasional reunions keep her connected to the massive Shondaland universe and its dedicated fanbase, ensuring her name remains highly relevant in pop culture discussions.
4. Working in the Podcast Space
The foundation of her new series, Mistletoe Murders, is an Audible podcast. This shows her willingness to adapt to new media landscapes and source material. By taking a successful podcast and developing it into a television series, Drew is engaging with the modern trend of cross-platform content creation, further cementing her role as a modern producer.
5. Embracing the Mystery Genre
Her decision to pursue a mystery series for Hallmark, a network known for its feel-good content, is a strategic move. The cozy mystery genre is immensely popular, offering a different kind of challenge than intense hospital drama. This shift allows her to explore a lighter, yet still compelling, narrative style as the clever Emily Lane, the lead investigator.
6. The Power of Authenticity
In recent interviews, Drew has spoken about the importance of authenticity and her journey of personal growth. She has talked about lessons learned from her father, a pastor, which have guided her career choices and her approach to motherhood. This public reflection on her personal journey makes her a relatable and inspiring figure to her audience, building a deeper connection than just her on-screen roles.
7. Season 2 Confirmation and Future Projects
The immediate success and buzz around Mistletoe Murders have already led to discussions and planning for a Season 2. This rapid renewal and continued investment in her project underscore the success of her career pivot. Looking ahead, Sarah Drew is positioned not just as an actress for hire, but as a creative leader who is actively shaping the content she wants to produce and star in, marking a new, powerful chapter in her professional life.
From the high-pressure operating rooms of Seattle to the cozy, yet mysterious, world of holiday crime, Sarah Drew's career evolution is a masterclass in professional reinvention. Her current work as an executive producer and lead actress in Mistletoe Murders proves that her most exciting and creatively fulfilling work is happening right now, far beyond the confines of her iconic Dr. April Kepner role.
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