SARAH DREW: THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION, THE POWER OF STORYTELLING, AND A CAREER BEYOND THE SCREEN
STARS COVER EDITION — NOVEMBER 2026
There are actors whose performances stay with audiences long after the screen fades to black. Their characters become part of people's lives, their stories resonate across generations, and their ability to transform into someone else becomes an art of its own. Sarah Drew is one of those artists.
With a career shaped by emotionally complex performances, memorable television characters, and an expanding presence behind the camera, the American actress and producer continues to explore new creative territories. Best known internationally for portraying Dr. April Kepner in ABC's acclaimed medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Drew has built a professional journey that goes far beyond a single iconic role. Today, she embraces a new chapter marked by historical storytelling, mystery, and a deeper involvement in the creative process.
This November, Sarah Drew takes on two exciting projects that showcase different dimensions of her talent. In the feature film Jimmy, she joins KJ Apa and Jason Alexander in a biographical story inspired by the life of legendary Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart. Drew portrays Hedda Hopper, the influential real-life gossip columnist whose presence and opinions carried considerable weight throughout Hollywood's golden era. The film arrives in theaters on November 6, 2026, bringing audiences into a world where public image, personal identity, and the pressures of fame intersect.
For Drew, stepping into the world of classic Hollywood was an opportunity to explore a character unlike many she has portrayed before. A lover of period productions, she welcomed the experience of recreating another time, paying particular attention to the details that made Hopper such a distinctive personality.
"Hedda was a really complicated person. She wielded a lot of power in Hollywood at the time. She could make or break you as an actor and she definitely wasn't always liked," Sarah explains.
Her preparation went beyond costumes, hairstyles, and the elaborate hats that defined Hopper's public image. Drew immersed herself in archival recordings, listening to the columnist's radio program and watching her television appearances to understand her voice, accent, and mannerisms. Her intention was not simply to imitate a historical figure, but to capture the essence of a woman whose influence extended far beyond journalism.
Because Hopper was a public personality, Drew had access to an extensive collection of historical references. Nevertheless, she approached the role with the same fundamental philosophy she brings to every character: understanding the intention behind each scene.
"I wanted to be sure I was capturing her essence without doing an impression," she says.
In Jimmy, Hopper represents something larger than her individual presence: the anxieties, expectations, and pressures of the Hollywood industry. The film explores a deeply personal journey centered on a man experiencing an identity crisis, placing its supporting characters within the emotional landscape of his transformation.
Drew describes the experience as particularly meaningful, expressing admiration for Jimmy Stewart and gratitude for being part of a story she considers special. It is another opportunity for the actress to demonstrate her versatility, moving between historical interpretation and the intimate emotional work that has long defined her performances.
Yet, for audiences who have followed her television career, Sarah Drew's name remains inseparable from April Kepner, the compassionate, determined, and sometimes unpredictable doctor she portrayed for nine years on Grey's Anatomy.
April became one of the series' most beloved characters, navigating personal losses, professional challenges, relationships, faith, and profound moments of self-discovery. Her evolution gave Drew the opportunity to explore an extraordinary emotional range, transforming the character into someone whose journey felt deeply human.
Looking back, the actress recognizes just how significantly those years influenced her development.
"That 9 year journey shaped me in so many ways. I was asked to go to some pretty dark places, and sometimes to stay in those places for a long time," she reflects.
The experience strengthened her ability to access complex emotions while teaching her an equally important lesson: how to separate the intensity of a performance from her personal life. Returning home to her family after emotionally demanding scenes was not always easy, but, as she explains, it became something she learned to navigate with practice.
What made April particularly rewarding was the opportunity to portray a character who never remained the same. Drew describes feeling as though she played six different people throughout those nine years, a transformation that mirrored the unpredictability and complexity of real life.
By the time she said goodbye to April, the connection was deeply personal. The character had become an important part of her artistic identity, and her journey remains a defining chapter in Drew's career.
Now, another character is opening new doors.
In Mistletoe Murders, Sarah Drew returns as Emily Lane for the series' third season, continuing a story that combines mystery, suspense, and the atmosphere of the holiday season. Based on Audible's internationally successful podcast of the same name, the Hallmark Channel production brings an intriguing contrast between a festive small-town setting and the secrets that lie beneath its seemingly peaceful surface.
Drew not only stars in the series but also serves as an executive producer, taking a more comprehensive role in shaping the story from its earliest creative stages through post-production.
In the new season, Emily finds herself facing the consequences of her past just as she begins to build a more stable future in Fletcher's Grove. Having finally revealed the truth about her history to Sam, she believes she can move forward. However, the arrival of someone connected to her former life quickly disrupts that sense of security.
This time, the stakes become even higher. Emily must confront new dangers, protect the people she loves, and attempt to repair the damage left behind by previous choices. Her relationship with Sam also enters a new phase, although the secrets she continues to carry make the path ahead far from simple.
"She still has secrets and she'll do whatever it takes to protect her new life and the lives of those she's come to care so deeply about," Drew reveals.
The actress describes this season as an important moment of growth for Emily, highlighting the character's increasing strength, determination, and courage. Rather than simply repeating the emotional patterns of previous seasons, the new episodes challenge her to confront the past while deciding what kind of future she wants to build.
For Drew, however, the opportunity to participate in Mistletoe Murders extends beyond her performance on screen. Her work as executive producer has become one of the most rewarding aspects of the project, allowing her to take an active leadership role and contribute to the overall creative vision.
She considers the atmosphere behind the scenes just as important as the stories being told. Creating a production environment grounded in respect, collaboration, and genuine enjoyment is a responsibility she takes seriously.
"My favorite part about being an executive producer is being in a leadership role on set. I take my job very seriously and it's important to me that the set I'm leading is one that's full of love, respect, and fun," she says.
From conversations with writers, directors, executives, and cast members to participating in decisions that shape the series through post-production, Drew values every stage of the process. Her involvement reflects an artistic curiosity that continues to expand beyond acting, revealing an interest in the structures, relationships, and decisions that bring a story to life.
Across Grey's Anatomy, Jimmy, and Mistletoe Murders, one common element emerges: Sarah Drew's commitment to understanding the people she portrays. Whether interpreting a historical personality, revisiting a character whose journey has unfolded over several years, or exploring a fictional woman surrounded by secrets, she approaches each role through intention, emotional awareness, and a respect for the story itself.
Her career also reflects an evolving understanding of what it means to be an artist in the entertainment industry today. Acting offers the opportunity to inhabit different perspectives, while producing creates the possibility of helping shape the environments and narratives in which those perspectives are explored.
As she moves between genres, periods, and creative responsibilities, Drew continues to demonstrate that artistic growth does not necessarily mean leaving the past behind. Sometimes, it means recognizing what each experience has taught you and using those lessons to approach the next chapter with greater confidence.
From the emotional corridors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital to the carefully recreated world of old Hollywood and the mysterious streets of Fletcher's Grove, Sarah Drew remains an artist drawn to transformation.
And perhaps that is what makes her journey so compelling: the understanding that every character has a story, every story has something to reveal, and every new role offers the possibility of becoming someone — and discovering something — entirely different.
1. How did playing April Kepner in Grey’s Anatomy shape you as an actress?
That 9 year journey shaped me in so many ways. I was asked to go to some pretty dark places, and sometimes to stay in those places for a long time. I think I developed a muscle for digging deep into my emotional well while working on that show. I also had to learn how to shed the deeper darker moments when I got home to my family each day, and that was really challenging, but became easier with practice. April was such a joy to play because she really transformed over those 9 years. I feel like I got to play 6 different people during my time on that show, which felt like a really human experience. I was really attached to her by the time I had to say goodbye to her.
2. What was it like portraying Hedda Hopper in the upcoming film Jimmy?
Well, this was a ton of fun. I love doing period pieces and transporting myself into another time, so to get to go to old Hollywood with this film was pretty special. Hedda was a really complicated person. She wielded a lot of power in Hollywood at the time. She could make or break you as an actor and she definitely wasn’t always liked. I don’t often get to play roles like this, so it was a ton of fun for me. Her wardrobe and hair and hats were an adventure on their own, but what I loved the most was getting into her voice. I was able to listen to her radio show and watch a few of her television appearances, and I did my best to embody her voice and accent. Jimmy Stewart was such an inspiring and wonderful man, and I’m just so honored that I got to be a part of this very special film.
3. Did playing a real historical figure change your approach to acting?
Absolutely. Because Hedda was a public person, there were many examples of her mannerisms to watch and listen to and I wanted to be sure I was capturing her essence without doing an impression. “Jimmy” is a very personal and internal story about a man in the throes of an identity crisis and all of the supporting cast are there to do something very specific to him during the course of his journey. My role in this film was to represent the anxieties and expectations of Hollywood. In terms of my approach to acting, my approach is mostly the same whether I’m playing a historical character or a fictional character. I focus on playing the intention of the scene.
4. How has Emily Lane evolved in Season 3 of Mistletoe Murders?
In season three of Mistletoe Murders, we pick up right where we left off at the end of season two. Emily is finally beginning to settle into her new life in Fletcher’s Grove. She’s finally told Sam the truth about her past and he’s made it clear that none of it matters. And then, her past shows up at her door. We pick up right where we left off, and play out the scene with Aaron which launches us into another adventure for Emily. This season, she’s in danger and the lives of people she cares about are in danger and she’s forced to mend what she’d broken in her past. We will see her grapple with the new dangers, while also trying to move toward Sam. She still has secrets and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her new life and the lives of those she’s come to care so deeply about. This season we will see her grow in strength, resolve and courage.
5. As both star and executive producer, what do you enjoy most about bringing stories to life behind the scenes?
My favorite part about being an executive producer is being in a leadership role on set. I take my job very seriously and it’s important to me that the set I’m leading is one that’s full of love, respect, and fun. We have an incredibly collaborative team so it’s just a dream. I also really love being a part of the creative process from start to finish. I love being able to give notes and participate in the direction of the show from the early stages all the way through to post production. I love the creative conversations I have with our show runner and executives and directors and cast and crew. I just love every part of it.
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