Jul 17
With Out Actor Leaving, 'Grey's Anatomy' Announces New Gay Character Will be Added
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Longtime cast member Jake Borelli made it known in May that he's leaving "Grey's Anatomy," but LGBTQ+ viewers will have a new gay character to root for in the show's upcoming 21st season, Us Magazine reported.
"TVLine reported on Monday, July 15, that the longstanding medical drama will introduce a new character who is the chaplain at Grey Sloan Memorial," Us relayed.
"According to the outlet, the character will be openly gay," the writeup added. "The role will be a recurring one and no details about casting have been shared."
Borelli, who spent seven seasons on the show, appeared on a recurring basis for two years before his character, Dr. Levi Schmitt, was promoted to series regular.
"Levi started off as an intern and worked his way up to senior resident, who guides the new class on their medical journey," Us recollected. "In season 15, Borelli was a major part of an LGBTQIA+ storyline where his character began a romance with Dr. Nico Kim, portrayed by Alex Landi."
In its report, TVLine noted that the new character "is not only a superhero fanboy but openly gay and slated to recur throughout Season 21."
The prospects for the new character to be similarly promoted are unknown at this point.
TVLine also noted that Borelli "and Midori Francis, the scene stealer who plays bi doc Mika, would both be returning next season only for long enough to wrap up their characters' storylines."
Borelli was effusive in his appreciation for the seven seasons of representation he contributed to the show, Us shared.
"Levi has meant an indescribable amount to me over the past 7 years," Borelli wrote in a Pride month Instagram post.
"I will need SO much more time to process just how immensely my life has changed thanks to this opportunity to help bring queer moments to a worldwide audience," Borelli went on to say.
"Having representation on a major platform like this is so important, and I promise to keep doing my part to tell queer stories – during the remainder of my time on Grey's and in my next chapter."
In a May article reporting on Borelli's departure, TVLine recalled, "In season 15, he was part of a major LGBTQ storyline" with Schmitt and and Kim being the focus of "the first gay romance involving two male doctors on the show.
"As the groundbreaking storyline kicked off on screen, Borelli also publicly came out as a gay man," the writeup recounted.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
