Sarah Drew Is Leaving the Door 'Open' for Future Grey's Anatomy Appearances: 'Ball's in Their Court' (Exclusive)

Sarah Drew is leaving the door open when it comes to returning to Grey’s Anatomy.

The The murders in Imela star, 44, tells PEOPLE in 10 that she would reprise her beloved role as Dr. April Kepner on the hit ABC medical drama series.

“I always say that door is always open, that place is like family to me and I love going back and visiting so, you know, the ball is in their court,” she says with a shrug.

Sarah Drew says she ‘really made a name for herself’ working on Grey’s Anatomy: How It Benefited Her Career Today (Exclusive)

The actress appeared in the series for nine seasons from 2009 to 2018 and has since returned to the series for a guest appearance.

Sarah Drew.

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Drew reveals that leaving the show has allowed her to grow as an artist and start creating her own projects — including the new Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders, which she stars in and executive produces.

“I had such an incredible, life-changing experience on that show, so suddenly I was able to leave the show with a platform and a fan base and a name in the world,” she explains. “It allowed me to kind of go, what do I want to do? Where do I want to go next?”

“Now I’m producing, writing and directing, and I don’t think I’d be doing my own thing if I was still on Grey’smaybe I would be.” she continues. “But I know that going out into the world, into the unknown world, really made me go, who do I want to be? What stories do I want to tell? How do I want to expand as an artist?”

The most dramatic Grey’s Anatomy Departments

Drew adds that she is “so grateful” for her experience at Grey’s Anatomy as it allowed her to take more control of her career.

“I stepped into the world as a presenter and I think it’s one of the greatest joys in my career right now,” she says.

Sarah Drew on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Richard Cartwright via Getty Images

Drew’s comments come after she discussed her exit from the show during the episode Call it what it is podcast with her ex Grey’s colleagues Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw earlier this month. She recalled that leaving in 2018 felt like “being fired from our family” after appearing on the series for nine seasons.

“We were unceremoniously let go in a way that felt really mean and unfair,” she said of her and Capshaw, whose role as Arizona Robbins was axed from the show at the end of Season 14 (at the same time as Drew). “And because of that, the outpouring of love was so overwhelming that it was like sitting there watching people say all the things they love about you after you’re dead.”

Sarah Drew on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Richard Cartwright/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images via Getty Images Sarah Drew says returning to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ with Jesse Williams ‘feels like coming home’

Drew stated that she no longer has the same connection with the series as she did in the beginning.

“I’m not attached to it at all,” she said. “So I think there is peace. When you’re on the show, you know, you never know what’s going to happen. You never know if they will lose interest in your story or something will happen if you piss off the wrong person. Like, you don’t know. But when I just stopped by to say hello, I don’t have any anxiety and I don’t need anything from anyone on that set anymore.”

“They are no longer responsible for my life,” she added. “They are not responsible for my success or my joy. So it feels very, very liberating to come back because I said, ‘Hey, this is a fun place to go.’”

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10pm ET on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu the next day. The murders in Imela premieres October 31 on Hallmark+.

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Source: HIS Education