Grey’s Anatomy’s Jake Borelli Shares His Hopes to Return as Levi — and the Scene He Wished Schmitt Had Gotten to Play
Charlie Mason
Editor
We may not have much time to miss Grey’s Anatomy’s Jake Borelli. The actor, who scrubbed out midway through what would have been his eighth season in Thursday’s episode (recapped here), is already talking about returning to the long-running ABC drama.
“I’m very hopeful,” Borelli tells our sister site Deadline. “I think the audience is interested to see what Levi is up to, I certainly am. He has so many connections to people still at the hospital… I couldn’t imagine the birth of [Jo Wilson’s] babies without Levi bending the world to get there.”
In fact, “If You Leave” planted the seed for just that twist: Schmitt agreed to be godfather to the twins that Jo is expecting with partner Link Lincoln. “We’ll see what [showrunner] Meg [Marinis] does,” says Borelli, who is still reporting to the set every day as he shadows director Allison Liddi-Brown with an eye on taking the helm of his own movies. There’s “this wonderful opportunity to have him grow off camera, and then to have him come back at some point and really be this boss that we know he can be.”
If Borelli has any regrets about the way that Levi was written off, it’s that it happened so quickly. “We certainly had to cram it into these seven episodes, which I would have loved for it to be longer. I would have loved for it to keep going forever,” he says, adding that “I would have loved there to be a couple scenes with him and his mom.
“I’d be so curious what his mom felt about him leaving the state,” he adds, “because so much of his neurosis and his codependence stems from that relationship. But I think in the future, there might be some some moments to speak on that.”
Also departing in “If You Leave” was Michael Thomas Grant, who’d only begun his recurring role of hospital chaplain James Morgan in Season 21. Dreading the thought of maintaining a long-distance relationship with his new boyfriend, Levi asked if he’d relocate to Texas with him, and at EOD, James revealed that he’d resigned from his position to do so. Still to come: Grey’s Anatomy will be saying goodbye to Midori Francis, whose Mika Yasuda managed to survive a devastating car crash, only to learn that it had taken the life of her beloved sister.
Your thoughts on the way Levi exited? Thumbs up, down or somewhere in between?
I had somehow never considered until reading this article that Link’s nickname makes him “Link Lincoln”. That’s terrible lol
His nickname is based on his surname though so nobody would say Link Lincoln would they? Like nobody said Hellmouth Helm (only other example I could think of who had a nickname based on their surname).
Figured it’s just an error but did remind me of “do you think my name is Turk Turkleton?”
His first name is Atticus. Link is just a nickname. Not sure if the writer was making a joke or just forgot that.
I know his name is Atticus, but literally no one calls him that, so…
Sorry to see Him leave I hope he returns Jake Borelli.
He was dropped cause he got fat. Grey’s is a show for women, no room for overweight men (only woman, cause the audience can see themselves reflected in them).
I have been watching Greys from the pilot episode and must say… showcasing gay relationships and all the topics surrounding it i have always tolerated because of the beautiful love and romance and lessons behind it. But i must say i am very disappointed in the latest gay relationship of Levi, writing in bible verses in a gay bed scene is a total slap in the face to entire Christian community! All of a sudden my eye shields were removed and decided that i am closing the Greys Chapter once and for all.
I love Levi and was so upset he was leaving. Such a great actor. I hope he will soon be back. I was crying so much.
Wait did I miss something, I thought Jake asked to leave. This makes it sound like he didnt want to be off the show.