Dr. Levi Schmitt, played by actor Jake Borelli, will return to Grey Sloan for the finale of âGreyâs Anatomyâ Season 21. Borelliâs return to the cast follows a 2024 exit from the show that saw Dr. Schmitt packing up and shipping out for a pediatric research position in Texas.Â
Jake Borelli to Reprise His Role as Dr. Levi Schmitt
While many expected Dr. Schmittâs exit to be more permanent, the actor was spotted in the promo trailer for the penultimate episode of âGreyâs Anatomyâ Season 21, titled, âLove You Like a Love Song.â The trailer similarly confirmed that Schmitt will return to Seattle to officiate Jo (Camilla Luddington) and Linkâs (Chris Carmack) wedding. The upcoming episode is set to air on Thursday, May 8 at 10 p.m. on ABC.
Borelliâs last appearance on âGreyâs Anatomyâ was in Episode 2107 âIf You Leave,â which aired in November. The episode saw Borelliâs Dr. Schmitt as he said goodbye to Grey Sloan Memorial after failing to secure a peds fellowship at the hospital. Schmitt instead ships off for a pediatric research job in Texas, courtesy of Dr. Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales).
In an exit interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Borelli reported that he was âheartbrokenâ to be leaving âGreyâs Anatomyâ after seven years on the cast.
âHonestly, it was pretty devastating, especially because I love [Schmitt] so much, and I see what this sort of representation on TV, especially in a show as big as âGreyâs,â has done to people all around the world,â said Borelli.
Borelli Opens Up About His Characterâs Legacy and âGreyâsâ Exit
Borelliâs character came out as gay in Season 15, making him the seriesâ first openly gay male series regular. The actor himself followed suit in 2018 when he came out publicly as gay on Instagram.
âLevi coming out in Season 15 sparked my own coming out process on a global level,â Borelli told GLAAD, adding, âComing out publicly was one of the hardest and most terrifying things Iâve ever done, but I wouldnât change it for the world. It has opened up my life in so many ways and allowed me to step fully into the queer community.â
In true âGreyâsâ fashion, Borelliâs Dr. Schmitt has had a few love interests throughout his 8-season run on the show, including Dr. Nico Kim (Alex Landi), nurse Carlos Garcia (Calvin Seabrooks), and, most recently, hospital chaplain James Morgan (Michael Thomas Grant).
Schmitt and Morganâs relationship developed throughout Season 21, but, as Schmitt prepared to leave for Texas, he realized he didnât want to have a long-distance relationship. Instead, Schmitt declares his love for Morgan, asking him to move to Texas as well.
Borelli spoke on Schmittâs relationship with Morgan, telling The Hollywood Reporter, âThatâs the relationship heâs been wanting for so long and, even more important, I think staying would have been very easy for Levi.â He continued, âIâm so glad he chose [to leave] for himself and then Iâm so glad that the pieces fell in place regarding James. That was a big moment for me to see him finally choosing something for himself.â
Despite his apparent exit from the show in 2024, Borelli claimed that he had his âfingers crossedâ that he would reprise the role of Dr. Levi Schmitt, something that is set to become a reality as Borelli returns for Episode 2117. It remains, however, unclear if Borelliâs return will be limited to the singular episode, though the actor says thereâs plenty more of Dr. Schmitt to go around.
âI think thereâs a lot more story there, so weâll absolutely see,â said Borelli, adding, âMaybe a spinoff in Texas. Iâm pitching very quietly behind the scenes. My working title is âHoly Schmittâ.â
âGreyâs Anatomyâ airs on ABC every Thursday at 10 p.m.
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