Jake Borelli, known for his portrayal of Dr. Levi Schmitt on ABC's long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, recently wrapped up his time on the show, culminating with his final appearance on November 14, 2024. After eight seasons and over 130 episodes, Borelli's character takes on new challenges and adventures, marking what many regard as one of the happiest exits the series has offered.
Levi's departure came as he accepted a position for medical research in Texas. This move isn't just career-driven; it reflects his growth and personal development throughout the series. By accepting the role, Levi symbolizes taking charge of his life and pursuing his dreams, coupled with the decision to bring along his boyfriend, James, played by Michael Thomas Grant. This relationship, which began as Levi's romantic subplot, becomes pivotal to his decision to relocate, illustrating both his professional ambitions and personal happiness. Over the years, audiences watched Levi transform from the nervous intern often referred to as "Glasses" to someone confident and ready to face the world.
During his time on the show, Borelli became known for more than just his medical skills; he has been integral to presenting LGBTQ+ representation within mainstream media. His on-screen relationship with Nico Kim stands out as one of the significant queer storylines, leading to Levi's public coming out as the first gay male series regular. Borelli expressed pride over this representation, highlighting its impact on viewers who resonate with Levi's struggles and triumphs.
Reflecting on his departure, Borelli shared insights about working with the show's writers, particularly how he crafted Levi's exit alongside showrunner Meg Marinis. They discussed the character's last moments, ensuring they highlighted Levi's growth and independence. Borelli noted the importance of seeing Levi choose his career path for himself and not just for love or anyone else.
"I think it was important for Levi's story to reflect his personal aspirations rather than framing his decision around his relationship with James, even though that's significant," Borelli remarked. He described the collaborative effort he had with writers to create the ideal closure for his character, which included putting on the iconic dark blue scrubs for the first time as he considered stepping up to be attending at Grey Sloan Memorial.
Even with the excitement of new beginnings, Borelli admitted feeling bittersweet about leaving. He emphasized the family-like atmosphere on set and how it would be challenging not to be part of the Grey's ensemble anymore.
To add to the emotional weight of Levi's exit, viewers got to witness heartfelt moments between him and fellow characters—particularly his close friends Jo Wilson and Taryn Helm. These moments are not merely scripted goodbyes; they reflect real bonds both Borelli shares with his co-stars off-screen. His final scenes were filled with nostalgia, highlighting ingrained relationships he built over nearly a decade, which makes the goodbye even harder for fans and the actors alike.
When discussing his character's legacy, Borelli conveyed his hope to depict authentic queer relationships without the typical tropes often seen on television. He wanted Levi's romance with James to exemplify communication, love, and straightforwardness. The finale perfectly encapsulated this idea as the two walked off together, hand-in-hand, symbolizing not just their love but also their commitment to facing the future as partners.
"This relationship is truly what Levi has been searching for, and it's wonderful to see it realized by the end of his arc," Borelli said. He expressed his desire for Levi to return as he saw continued room for growth and exploration of each character's lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender relationships. He hinted at dreams for Levi's future, possibly as a full-time attending physician, articulately weaving the thread of queer representation and professional growth.
The actor's exit from such an iconic show inevitably raises discussions about the broader representation of LGBTQ+ characters on television. Borelli has emphasized the urgency for media to illuminate queer stories from nuanced perspectives, noting how Grey’s Anatomy previously paved the way for LGBTQ+ representations through characters like Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins. His own narrative aims to follow suit by embodying the multifaceted experiences queer individuals navigate.
Addressing the political climate impacting queer representation, Borelli acknowledged the challenges currently faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the importance of authenticity on-screen. His real-life experiences resonate with Levi's, making their narratives deeply intertwined. Reflecting on recent developments around marginalized identities, he expressed concern over representation being limited, particularly for queer and transgender individuals.
Even though this chapter has closed for Borelli, he remains hopeful. He continues to work behind the scenes at the show with the desire to direct future episodes, alluding to the possibility of upcoming opportunities within the Grey’s Anatomy family once more. He encapsulated the sentiment: "I hope to stick around the Grey Sloan hospital—behind the camera maybe. I just have too many stories left to tell about Levi and where he might end up."
Borelli's portrayal of Levi Schmitt signifies more than just character development; it's about representation, growth, and the balance between personal lives and professional journeys all woven together within the rich fabric of Grey’s Anatomy. With Borelli’s exit marking the end of one era, the next season promises to evolve with new dynamics, stories, and representation, keeping fans eager for what's to come as they continue to engage with the stories of their beloved characters.
