Another doctor is scrubbing out of Grey’s Anatomy: Jake Borelli, who has played Dr. Levi Schmitt for the past seven years, will be leaving the ABC drama next season, our sister site Deadline reports.
The exit is reportedly due to budget cuts at Grey’s, which was renewed for a 21st season last month. Borelli “is in negotiations to return next season for several episodes to wrap up the story of his character,” per Deadline.
In fact, the contracts of almost all of the ABC drama’s vets expire at the end of this season, so new deals will have to be hammered out for not only OGs Chandra Wilson (Bailey) and James Pickens Jr. (Richard) but Kevin McKidd (Owen), Kim Raver (Teddy), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia) and Camilla Luddington (Jo).
Borelli made his debut as Levi in the Season 14 premiere of Grey’s, with Levi joining a fresh crop of interns at Grey Sloan Memorial. Levi had a romantic relationship with orthopedic surgeon Nico Kim, played by Alex Landi, but they split up in Season 18, with Nico later leaving the hospital to take a job with the Seattle Mariners.
Levi has now worked his way up to be the hospital’s chief resident, along with his roommate Taryn Helm, played by Jaicy Elliot. Borelli also reprised his role as Levi in a half-dozen episodes of Station 19, when the ABC dramas would do a crossover. His other TV credits include The Thundermans and Greek.Grey’s Anatomy wraps up its current 20th season on Thursday, May 30 at 9/8c on ABC. Will you miss Levi? Hit the comments to share your reaction to the news.