Sarah Drew (born October 1, 1980) is an American actress and director. She is known for her roles as Stacy Rowe in the MTV animated series Daria (1997–2001), Hannah Rogers in The WB family drama series Everwood (2004–2006), and Dr. April Kepner in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2009–18; 2021–22). She currently plays the lead role of Emily Lane in the Hallmark Christmas mystery series Mistletoe Murders (2024–present).
Early life and education Drew was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York, where she attended The Stony Brook School. Her mother, Dr. Jeannie Drew, taught biology at an independent private school for girls in Manhattan. Her father, the Rev. Charles Drew, is the senior pastor at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City. Her brother, Allen Drew, is a pastor at Mt. Airy Community Church in Philadelphia and director of an a cappella group at Germantown Friends School. She received a bachelor's degree in drama from the University of Virginia in 2002. Her second cousin is actor Ben McKenzie.
Career In 1997, while in high school, Drew voiced Stacy Rowe on the animated series Daria. She also voiced that character in the Daria television films Is It Fall Yet? and Is It College Yet?. In 2001, she made her professional stage debut as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. She made her Broadway debut in 2003 in Vincent in Brixton, which later took her to London's West End. She made the move to television with a guest role in the series Wonderfalls, and was in the film Radio. She appeared as Katie Burrell, the daughter of a Japanese relocation camp sergeant, in the 2007 film American Pastime.
From 2004 to 2006, Drew starred as Hannah Rogers in The WB drama series Everwood. She later guest-starred on Cold Case, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Medium, Castle, Glee, Privileged, Supernatural, and Private Practice. She starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film Front of the Class (2008), and from 2008 to 2009, she had a recurring role as Kitty Romano in the AMC drama series Mad Men. In 2014, she starred in the film Moms' Night Out.
Grey's Anatomy In 2009, Drew was cast as Dr. April Kepner in the medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. Drew was cast in late September and first appeared in the sixth season episode "Invasion" as one of the residents from Mercy West Hospital after its merger with Seattle Grace Hospital. Drew was brought aboard Grey's Anatomy after former collaborations with series creator Shonda Rhimes; she was featured as a guest in 2 episodes of Private Practice in 2008 and was a main cast member in Rhimes' 2009 television pilot Inside the Box, which ABC passed on. In 2010, she was promoted to a series-regular for the seventh season.
In March 2018, it was announced that Drew, along with Jessica Capshaw, would be exiting the series. Showrunner Krista Vernoff stated that the decision was purely creative, not budgetary.
However, it was announced in March 2021 that Drew would be returning during season 17, and in April 2022 that Drew would be returning for the 400th episode of the 18th season, along with Jesse Williams.
2018–present Shortly following the announcement of her Grey's Anatomy exit, Drew was cast as Detective Cagney in CBS' Cagney & Lacey reboot pilot. CBS passed on the pilot in May 2018, deciding not to produce the series.
In July 2018, Drew took on the role of Lucille Ball, starring in the world premiere production of I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom, a behind-the-scenes stage comedy about I Love Lucy by Gregg Oppenheimer (son of series creator Jess Oppenheimer). Recorded before a live audience at the UCLA's James Bridges Theater, the L.A. Theatre Works production aired on public radio and has been released on Audio CD and as a downloadable MP3.Amazon.com product page for "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" recording.L.A. Theatre Works catalog page for "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" recording.
In 2019, Drew was once again cast as the title character in a CBS pilot, this time as Sarah Cooper in The Republic of Sarah, but the project was ultimately passed on by the network. A different leading cast, led by Stella Baker, was chosen when the series was rebooted by The CW network for the 2020–21 season.
On October 30, 2020, Drew has been cast in a recurring role as Cindy Turner (Jeanette's mother) in the Freeform (ABC Family) series Cruel Summer.
In September 2021, Drew was cast in Apple TV+ comedy series Amber Brown based on the bestselling books by Paula Danziger.
In 2022, Drew started as Lizbeth Meredith in the Lifetime movie Stolen By Their Father as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films; it had Elizabeth Smart as an executive producer.
Personal life Drew married Peter Lanfer, a lecturer at Dartmouth College, on June 17, 2002. They have two children. She is Christian.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes2000Is It Fall Yet?Stacy Rowe (voice)Television Film2002Is It College Yet?2003RadioMary Helen2005Serena2007American PastimeKatie Burrell2008WienersKaren2010TugAriel2014Moms' Night OutAllyson2018IndivisibleHeather TurnerAlso executive producer2019Twinkle All The WayCadenceTV Movie 2023 Birthright Outlaw Martha Rose Jacobs Also co-producer2026 Jimmy Hedda Hopper
Television Year Title Role Notes1997–2001Daria Stacy Rowe (voice)28 episodes2004WonderfallsBianca KnowlesEpisode: "Karma Chameleon"2004–2006EverwoodHannah RogersMain Role (38 episodes)2006Cold CaseJennifer "Jenny" Hawkins in 1958Episode: "Static"2007Law & Order: Special Victims UnitBecca RiceEpisode: "Responsible"Reinventing the WheelersBecky ConnerMovie2008MediumSuzie KeenerEpisode: "Wicked Game" (Parts 1 & 2)PrivilegedCarynEpisode: "All About Insecurities"Front of the ClassNancy LazarusMovie2008-2009Private PracticeJudy2 episodesMad MenKitty Romano4 episodes2009Inside the BoxMollyPilotCastleChloe RichardsonEpisode: "Nanny McDead"Numb3rsPiper St. JohnEpisode: "Angels and Devils"In Plain SightRachel RosenzweigEpisode: "Aguna Matatala"GleeSuzy PepperEpisode: "Ballad"2009–2018, 2021–2022Grey's Anatomy Dr. April KepnerRecurring (Season 6)Main Role (Seasons 7–14)Special Guest Star (Seasons 17–18): 194 episodes2010SupernaturalNora / DemonEpisode: "Swap Meat"Miami MedicalEmilyEpisode: "What Lies Beneath"2018Christmas Pen PalsHannah MorrisTelevision film (Lifetime)2020Christmas in ViennaJess WatersTelevision film (Hallmark channel)2021Cruel SummerCindy TurnerRecurring role (season 1)One SummerJenna FontaineTelevision film (Hallmark channel)2022Stolen by Their FatherLizbeth MeredithTelevision film (Lifetime)Amber BrownSarah BrownMain roleReindeer Games HomecomingMacKenzie GravesTelevision film (Lifetime); also writer and executive producer2023Guiding EmilyEmilyTelevision film (Hallmark channel)How She Caught a KillerDetective Linda MurphyTelevision film (Lifetime); also executive producer2024Branching OutAmeliaTelevision film (Hallmark channel)2024-present Mistletoe Murders Emily Lane Television series (Hallmark); also executive producer2026The Stars Between UsKimTelevision film (Hallmark channel)
Writer Year Title Notes 2023 A Cowboy Christmas Romance Also executive producer 2024 A Carpenter Christmas Romance Also executive producer
Video games Year Title Role2000Daria's InfernoStacy Rowe (voice)
Web Year Title Role2010Seattle Grace: Message of HopeDr. April Kepner
References
External links
One Summer - The complete film One Summer (2021), with Sarah Drew as Jenna Fontaine, on YouTube (62,021 views, as of 2024 July 13th)