Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is set to bid farewell to two employees—Dr. Schmitt and surgical intern Mika Yasuda—in Grey's Anatomy. The medical drama centers around the lives of the doctors and residents of Seattle.
The key figure in the drama is Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), who began as an intern and eventually became the hospital's chief surgeon. While Pompeo plays the leading role, the medical drama is incomplete without its other characters, like Dr. Schmitt and Mika Yasuda, who help advance the narrative.
Now that Jake Borelli won't be appearing in the show, fans are eager to once again dive into his on-screen character, Dr. Levi Schmitt. He was first introduced to fans and viewers in Grey's Anatomy in Season 14 and was initially seen as a shy and awkward intern at the hospital.
With time, Dr. Schmitt became one of the most competent and compassionate residents and became the first openly gay male series regular. Borelli's groundbreaking representation of Schmitt was well-received by fans and will be missed in the new season. Read more to know about the exit and the character.
Exploring Jake Borelli's character, Dr. Levi Schmitt, in Grey's Anatomy
Jake Borelli's Dr. Levi Schmitt has impressively evolved throughout the drama. The actor joined Grey's Anatomy in season 14 and departed after a few episodes of season 22. Before discussing the actor's exit, here's an overview of the character:
Soon after joining the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Dr. Levi Schmitt was overshadowed by other characters like Alex Karev and Meredith Grey. Despite his desire to become one of the stand-out doctors, Dr. Schmitt initially struggled to prove his competitiveness.
Later in the show, viewers were offered significant character development in Dr. Schmitt, personally and professionally. Schmitt gradually developed a deep bond with Dr. Nico Kim, played by actor Alex Landi. The two got into a romantic relationship, allowing a much-needed representation of LGBTQ+ issues in Grey's Anatomy.
Throughout the seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Schmitt and Kim had an on-again, off-again relationship. However, fans enjoyed them being together as it helped Dr. Schmitt on his journey to self-discovery and Kim brought depth to his character.
Also Read: What is a Code Black on Grey's Anatomy? Explained
How Dr. Schmitt's storyline will end in Grey's Anatomy Season 21
Initially, Jake Borelli's exit was planned after season 20. However, to complete the character's story arc, Dr. Schmitt appeared in a few episodes of season 21, with episode six, Night Moves, being his last.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Levi Schmitt is confused about whether to stay at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, as suggested by Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Richard Webber, or begin a new chapter by taking on a promising research role in Texas. The new offer is quite impressive and can help Schmitt fulfill his long-term goal of getting a highly competitive pediatric surgery fellowship.
Apart from his professional life, Schmitt also began a relationship with hospital chaplain James (Michael Thomas Grant), and he didn't want to upset him with the news. However, after saving a patient's life, Dr. Schmitt was able to make a final decision.
As seen in the episode, Dr. Schmitt left Seattle and moved to Texas. He didn't want to let go of a great opportunity, so he bid farewell to his mentors, Dr. Webber and Dr. Bailey. He also met his close friend, Dr. Taryn Helm (Jaicy Elliott), before leaving. The episode ended with Dr. Levi Schmitt wondering how to tell his boyfriend about his decision.
The reason behind Jake Borelli leaving Grey's Anatomy
Jake Borelli was a regular Grey's Anatomy cast member for almost seven years, and now fans won't see him in the next chapter of the medical drama. Per Deadline, Borelli is departing from his role due to the team facing budget-cut issues during the renewal of season 21.
Some cast members, like Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey) and James Pickett Jr. (Richard Webber), have been playing their roles since season 1, which has significantly increased the production cost. This leads to budget allocation for the new Season, contributing to the actor's exit.
While Jake Borelli and Midori Francis are leaving the ABC drama to manage costs, other cat members have reduced roles compared to previous seasons. However, the reduced screen time for several actors won't affect the show's storyline.
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