TV & Movies
Grey's Anatomy Is Adding A New Gay Character For Season 21
The new season will see multiple cast changes.
Grey Sloan Memorial is welcoming a new addition. As TVLine reports, Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 will see the introduction of an openly gay male character. The role is said to be recurring and further details are yet to be announced.
The report follows the departure of Jake Borelli, who’s played the LGBTQ+ character Levi Schmitt since 2017. Per Deadline, Borelli will reportedly return for a few episodes in Season 21 to wrap up Levi’s story.
Levi Schmitt’s Legacy
One of Levi’s major storylines occurred in Season 15 when he came out as gay and began a relationship with Dr. Nico Kim (played by Alex Landi).
When Nico and Levi’s first kiss aired in 2018, Borelli himself came out as gay. “Tonight’s episode was so special to me,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up. It blows my mind that I’m able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality.”
Last month, the actor also paid tribute to the character on Instagram, confirming his Grey’s Anatomy exit.
“My life has changed thanks to this opportunity to help bring queer moments to a worldwide audience,” Borelli wrote in a caption. “Having representation on a major platform like this is so important, and I promise to keep doing my part to tell queer stories — during the remainder of my time on Grey’s and in my next chapter.”
Grey’s Anatomy Cast Shakeup
These aren’t the only major cast changes on the horizon. Variety recently reported that Ellen Pompeo will star in at least seven episodes of the new season, reprising her role as Dr. Meredith Grey, who she’s played since 2005.
Actor Jason George is also said to be returning. He’s played Dr. Ben Warren on and off since Season 6, but left as a series regular in 2018 to launch the Grey’s spinoff, Station 19.
Meanwhile, Midori Francis, who has played Mika Yasuda since Season 19, is leaving as well. Like Borelli, the actor is reportedly negotiating a return next season to close out Mika’s story.
