Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew
Drew in 2012
Born (1980-10-01) October 1, 1980 (age 44)
Stony Brook, New York, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
Occupations
  • Actress
  • director
Years active1997–present
Spouse
Peter Lanfer
​
(m. 2002)​
Children2

Sarah Drew (born October 1, 1980)[1][2] is an American actress and director.[3] She played Hannah Rogers in The WB family drama series Everwood (2004–2006) and Dr. April Kepner in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2009–18; 2021–22).

Early life

Drew was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York, where she attended The Stony Brook School.[4] Her mother, Dr. Jeannie Drew, taught biology at an independent private school for girls in Manhattan. Her father, the Rev. Charles Drew, is the senior pastor at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City. Her brother, Allen Drew, is a pastor at Mt. Airy Community Church in Philadelphia and director of an a cappella group at Germantown Friends School. She received a bachelor's degree in drama from the University of Virginia in 2002.[5] Her second cousin is actor Ben McKenzie.[6]

Career

In 1997, while in high school, Drew voiced Stacy Rowe on the animated series Daria. She also voiced that character in the Daria television films Is It Fall Yet? and Is It College Yet?. In 2001, she made her professional stage debut as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. She made her Broadway debut in 2003 in Vincent in Brixton, which later took her to London's West End. She made the move to television with a guest role in the series Wonderfalls, and was in the film Radio. She appeared as Katie Burrell, the daughter of a Japanese relocation camp sergeant, in the 2007 film American Pastime.[citation needed]

From 2004 to 2006, Drew starred as Hannah Rogers in The WB drama series Everwood. She later guest-starred on Cold Case, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Medium, Castle, Glee, Privileged, Supernatural, and Private Practice.[7][8] She starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film Front of the Class (2008), and from 2008 to 2009, she had a recurring role as Kitty Romano in the AMC drama series Mad Men.[9] In 2014, she starred in the film Moms' Night Out.[10]

Grey's Anatomy

In 2009, Drew was cast as Dr. April Kepner in the medical drama series Grey's Anatomy.[11][12][13] Drew was cast in late September and first appeared in the sixth season episode "Invasion" as one of the residents from Mercy West Hospital after its merger with Seattle Grace Hospital.[14] Drew was brought aboard Grey's Anatomy after former collaborations with series creator Shonda Rhimes;[15] she was featured as a guest in 2 episodes of Private Practice in 2008 and was a main cast member in Rhimes' 2009 television pilot Inside the Box, which ABC passed on.[15] In 2010, she was promoted to a series-regular for the seventh season.[13]

In March 2018, it was announced that Drew, along with Jessica Capshaw, would be exiting the series. Showrunner Krista Vernoff stated that the decision was purely creative, not budgetary.[16][17]

However, it was announced in March 2021 that Drew would be returning during season 17, and in April 2022 that Drew would be returning for the 400th episode of the 18th season, along with Jesse Williams.

2018–present

Shortly following the announcement of her Grey's Anatomy exit, Drew was cast as Detective Cagney in CBS' Cagney & Lacey reboot pilot.[18][19] CBS passed on the pilot in May 2018, deciding not to produce the series.[20]

In July 2018, Drew took on the role of Lucille Ball, starring in the world premiere production of I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom, a behind-the-scenes stage comedy about I Love Lucy by Gregg Oppenheimer (son of series creator Jess Oppenheimer). Recorded before a live audience at the UCLA's James Bridges Theater, the L.A. Theatre Works production aired on public radio and has been released on Audio CD and as a downloadable MP3.[21][22]

In 2019, Drew was once again cast as the title character in a CBS pilot, this time as Sarah Cooper in The Republic of Sarah, but the project was ultimately passed on by the network.[23][24] A different leading cast, led by Stella Baker, was chosen when the series was rebooted by The CW network for the 2020–21 season.[25]

On October 30, 2020, Drew has been cast in a recurring role as Cindy Turner (Jeanette's mother) in the Freeform (ABC Family) series Cruel Summer.[26]

In September 2021, Drew was cast in Apple TV+ comedy series Amber Brown based on the bestselling books by Paula Danziger.[27]

In 2022, Drew started as Lizbeth Meredith in the Lifetime movie Stolen By Their Father as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films; it had Elizabeth Smart as an executive producer.[28]

Personal life

Drew married Peter Lanfer, a lecturer at Dartmouth College, on June 17, 2002.[29] They have two children.[30] She is Christian. This matched her character's beliefs from the movie Mom's Night Out.[31]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Is It Fall Yet? Stacy Rowe (voice) Television Film
2002 Is It College Yet?
2003 Radio Mary Helen
2005 The Baxter Serena
2007 American Pastime Katie Burrell
2008 Wieners Karen
2010 Tug Ariel
2014 Moms' Night Out Allyson
2018 Indivisible Heather Turner Also executive producer
2019 Twinkle All The Way Cadence TV Movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997–2001 Daria Stacy Rowe (voice) 28 episodes
2004 Wonderfalls Bianca Knowles Episode: "Karma Chameleon"
2004–2006 Everwood Hannah Rogers Main Role (38 episodes)
2006 Cold Case Jennifer "Jenny" Hawkins in 1958 Episode: "Static"
2007 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Becca Rice Episode: "Responsible"
Reinventing the Wheelers Becky Conner Movie
2008 Medium Suzie Keener Episode: "Wicked Game" (Parts 1 & 2)
Privileged Caryn Episode: "All About Insecurities"
Front of the Class Nancy Lazarus Movie
2008-2009 Private Practice Judy 2 episodes
Mad Men Kitty Romano 4 episodes
2009 Inside the Box Molly Pilot
Castle Chloe Richardson Episode: "Nanny McDead"
Numb3rs Piper St. John Episode: "Angels and Devils"
In Plain Sight Rachel Rosenzweig Episode: "Aguna Matatala"
Glee Suzy Pepper Episode: "Ballad"
2009–2018, 2021–2022 Grey's Anatomy Dr. April Kepner Recurring (Season 6)
Main Role (Seasons 7–14)
Special Guest Star (Seasons 17–18):[32] 194 episodes
2010 Supernatural Nora / Demon Episode: "Swap Meat"
Miami Medical Emily Episode: "What Lies Beneath"
2018 Christmas Pen Pals Hannah Morris Television film (Lifetime)
2020 Christmas in Vienna Jess Waters Television film (Hallmark channel)
2021 Cruel Summer Cindy Turner Recurring role (season 1)
One Summer Jenna Fontaine Television film (Hallmark channel)
2022 Stolen by Their Father Lizbeth Meredith Television film (Lifetime)
Amber Brown Sarah Brown Main role
Reindeer Games Homecoming MacKenzie Graves Television film (Lifetime); also writer and executive producer
2023 Guiding Emily Emily Television film (Hallmark channel)
How She Caught a Killer Detective Linda Murphy Television film (Lifetime); also executive producer
2024 Branching Out Amelia Television film (Hallmark channel)
2024 Mistletoe Murders Emily Lane Television Series (Hallmark)

Video games

Year Title Role
2000 Daria's Inferno Stacy Rowe (voice)

Web

Year Title Role
2010 Seattle Grace: Message of Hope Dr. April Kepner

References

  1. ^ "Sarah Drew: Movies, TV, and Bio". www.amazon.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "Sarah Drew - Bio, Birthday, Age, Video | Cameo". www.cameo.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Sarah Drew on Her "Profound" 'Grey's Anatomy' Departure and (Emmy-Nominated) "Rebirth"". The Hollywood Reporter. August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Sarah Drew Official Website". Sarah Drew. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  5. ^ "Sarah Drew Biography". Buddytv.com. October 1, 1980. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Most Revealing Ben McKenzie Interview Yet: Dating, Gotham, and the O.C. Secrets". September 22, 2014.
  7. ^ "'Everwood' Actress Heads to 'Private Practice'". Buddytv.com. September 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 3, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "Sarah Drew Credits". Tvguide.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Sarah Drew Talks Grey's & Mad Men | Grey's Gabble". Greysgabble.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  10. ^ Justin Chang Chief Film Critic @JustinCChang (April 28, 2014). "'Moms' Night Out' Review: Family Audiences Deserve Better". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  11. ^ Lyons, Margaret (September 30, 2009). "'Grey's Anatomy' picks up 'Everwood' alum". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  12. ^ "Sarah Drew Lands Recurring Role on Grey's Anatomy". TV Fanatic. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Exclusive: 'Grey's Anatomy' promotes Sarah Drew". Entertainment Weekly. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  14. ^ Marsi, Steve (October 21, 2009). "Sarah Drew Previews Character, Grey's Anatomy Role". TV Fanatic. SheKnows Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Marsi, Steve (November 15, 2010). "Sarah Drew Dishes on Dream Grey's Anatomy Gig". TV Fanatic. SheKnows Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  16. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 8, 2018). "'Grey's Anatomy': Jessica Capshaw, Sarah Drew to Exit After Season 14". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  17. ^ Abrams, Natalie (March 8, 2018). "Jessica Capshaw, Sarah Drew to exit 'Grey's Anatomy' after season 14". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 14, 2018). "'Cagney & Lacey': 'Grey's Anatomy's Sarah Drew & Michelle Hurd Set As The Leads Of CBS Reboot Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  19. ^ Holloway, Daniel (March 14, 2018). "Sarah Drew, Michelle Hurd Cast in CBS' 'Cagney & Lacey' Pilot". Variety. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  20. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 11, 2018). "Poor Sarah Drew is out of work again". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  21. ^ Amazon.com product page Archived October 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine for "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" recording.
  22. ^ L.A. Theatre Works catalog page Archived August 5, 2020, at the Wayback Machine for "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" recording.
  23. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 11, 2019). "Jennifer Morrison and Sarah Drew Pilots Get Passed on by CBS". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Carbone, Gina (May 11, 2019). "Grey's Anatomy Alum Sarah Drew 'Heart Broken' As CBS Passes On Another Pilot". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Nellie Andreeva (February 20, 2020). "'The Republic Of Sarah' CW Pilot Casts Stella Baker As Its Lead". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  26. ^ Denise Petski (October 30, 2020). "'Cruel Summer': Sarah Drew To Recur On Jessica Biel-Produced Freeform Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  27. ^ "Sarah Drew Stars In Apple Comedy Series 'Amber Brown' From Bonnie Hunt Based On Children's Books". Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  28. ^ "Lizbeth Meredith Now: "Stolen by Their Father" Subject Shares Story". Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "Peter Lanfer". May 6, 2014.
  30. ^ "Sarah Drew Welcomes Daughter Hannah Mali Rose". People. December 9, 2014. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  31. ^ "Interview: Grey's Anatomy's Sarah Drew Gets Real on Faith and Career". Patheos.com. October 1, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  32. ^ Grey's Anatomy [@GreysABC] (March 12, 2021). "Excited to have @sarahdrew back on set! https://t.co/5ebWp9MbwF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
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