Summary

• Series regular Jake Borelli is leaving Grey's Anatomy after 7 years.
• Borelli's departure will be a significant loss for the show.
• Other factors could lead to further cast departures and a winding down of the long-running series.

Grey's Anatomy season 21 will see the ABC flagship show lose a series regular, and other stars face reduced roles, according to reports. Debuting in March 2005, the show has run for 20 seasons and 427 episodes, going on to become a primetime cultural watershed. Starring Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey alongside an ensemble cast of actors that has included Patrick Dempsey, Kevin McKidd, and Isiah Washington, Grey's Anatomy has won two Golden Globe Awards, and has been nominated for 38 Primetime Emmys. Now, with the recent news that Grey's Anatomy season 21 has been renewed, it seems that there will be some changes in front of the camera.

According to reports from Deadline, series regular Jake Borelli, who plays Levi Schmitt, will be leaving the show next season after seven years at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Per sources, the actor will return for some episodes of season 21 in order to wrap up his character's storyline before leaving. Other cast members face cuts to their appearances and episodic fees for the season too, a strong indicator that there might be fewer episodes next season.

Why Borelli Was An Important Addition To The Grey's Anatomy Team

What Does The Show's Future Look Like?

Borelli will be missed by audiences, not only was his character a fan favorite, but also as a key part of the legacy of Grey's Anatomy. Levi Schmitt proved to be a major part of a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ storyline for the series, when he and Nico (the show's first openly gay male character) shared the first kiss on the show between two gay men, and became the series' first gay romance involving two male characters.

For a show that has constantly evolved and pushed boundaries, this is an important milestone, especially as Borelli himself came out as a gay man shortly after. It is unclear what is next for Borelli in terms of a career move, but with over 120 episodes of Grey's Anatomy under his belt, the actor will be hoping he can continue to take his career forward in an upward trajectory.

Is Grey's Anatomy's Star On The Wane?

With 21 Seasons, The Series Has Already Broken Records

As one of the biggest shows of all time, Grey's Anatomy was never going to be able to keep up its huge viewership ratings, and there has been an understandable decline after 20 years on the air. This is bound to have had a financial impact on the network, which invites change, and the necessity for budget cuts. This is particularly understandable for a show like Grey's Anatomy, which typically has a high budget. Whilst it is likely ABC still has high hopes for the future of Grey's Anatomy, a reduced episode count (and, perhaps, the extensive cast list) does make a degree of financial sense.

It's unclear the long-term impact this might have on the show, but it is entirely possible this could lead to further departures. Nevertheless, as a show that has catapulted many careers in the past - such as Sandra Oh starring in Killing Eve - Grey's Anatomy is still a series that appeals to actors and can be used as a platform to build a solid career. However, for many big names on the show, contracts are being renegotiated, with an expected reduction in episode count and salaries across the board, and this could signal that the show is winding down.

Source: Deadline