Sarah Drew: Children, Career, and Life After Grey’s Anatomy
There’s a reason viewers still ask about April Kepner years after she left Grey’s Anatomy. Sarah Drew, the actress who brought the nervous redheaded surgeon to life, has quietly built a career that stretches far beyond the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial, from voicing a Daria character to directing her own short films.
Full name: Sarah White Drew ·
Born: October 1, 1980 ·
Occupation: Actress, director, producer, writer ·
Spouse: Peter Lanfer (m. 2002) ·
Children: 2 ·
Known for: Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy
Quick snapshot
- Married to Peter Lanfer since 2002 (IMDb bio)
- Two children: son Micah (b. 2012) and daughter Hannah (b. 2014) (IMDb bio)
- Graduated from University of Virginia with drama focus (TV Insider)
- Natural redhead (strawberry blonde/light red) (Wikipedia)
- Exact birth dates of her children not publicly reported (IMDb)
- Specific net worth figure not confirmed by reliable sources (IMDb)
- Birthplace discrepancy: Stony Brook, NY vs. Charlottesville, VA (IMDb vs. TV Guide)
- Exact reason for Grey’s Anatomy exit beyond network decision not fully disclosed (IMDb)
- Born October 1, 1980 (Wikipedia)
- Married June 2002 (IMDb bio)
- Joined Grey’s Anatomy as intern in 2009 (TV Insider)
- Left as series regular in 2018; returned as guest in 2021 (Wikipedia)
- Starring and executive producing Hallmark+’s Mistletoe Murders (2024–present) (IMDb bio)
- Active as director and producer of short films (TV Insider)
- Maintains active Instagram presence (@thesarahdrew) (primary source) (IMDb bio)
The table below organizes Drew’s core biographical facts into a quick-reference format, drawing from industry databases and published profiles.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sarah White Drew (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Actress, director, producer, writer (IMDb bio) |
| Years active | 1997–present (Wikipedia) |
| Spouse | Peter Lanfer (m. 2002) (IMDb bio) |
| Children | 2 (IMDb bio) |
| Known for | Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy (IMDb bio) |
| Religion | Christian (Wikipedia) |
| Natural hair color | Red (strawberry blonde/light red) (Wikipedia) |
Does Sarah Drew have children?
Yes, Sarah Drew has two children: a son and a daughter. She and her husband, Dr. Peter Lanfer, have kept their kids’ names out of the spotlight, though industry databases list them as Micah Emmanuel (born January 18, 2012) and Hannah Mali Rose (born December 3, 2014), according to Everwood Wiki (a fan site, so take exact dates with caution). The IMDb bio confirms the names Micah and Hannah.
How many children does Sarah Drew have?
Two: one son and one daughter. Drew has occasionally posted about motherhood on Instagram but rarely shares photos of her children’s faces.
How old are Sarah Drew’s kids?
Based on available dates, her son Micah turned 13 in 2025 and her daughter Hannah turned 11 that same year. Because exact dates are not independently verified, these are estimates.
Drew keeps her children largely out of the public eye — a choice that seems deliberate for a family with a professor father and an actress mother who values a grounded home life.
The implication: Fans who follow her work know she balances career and parenting, but the private details remain exactly that.
What does Sarah Drew do now?
Far from fading after leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Drew has expanded her resume. She currently stars as Emily Lane in the Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders, which she also executive produces. The series began in 2024 and is ongoing, per Wikipedia. She also appeared in the 2021 thriller series Cruel Summer on Freeform.
Is Sarah Drew still acting?
Absolutely. Beyond Mistletoe Murders, she has acted in several TV movies and independent films, including Hallmark Christmas projects. She also directed and produced the short film Noah’s Ark: The Story of the Flood and others.
What other roles has she had after Grey’s Anatomy?
- Cruel Summer (2021) – a supporting role on the Freeform hit (IMDb)
- Multiple Hallmark / Lifetime TV movies (e.g., A Christmas… series)
- Guest roles on Supernatural, Glee, and Private Practice (earlier in her career)
Though she’s no longer a network TV regular, Drew has pivoted to producing — giving her more control over the stories she tells, even if the audience reach is smaller.
What this means: Her post-Grey’s career is less about fame and more about creative ownership.
Is Sarah Drew a natural red head?
Yes, and this is one of the most-asked questions about her. Drew’s natural hair color is strawberry blonde to light red. She has stated in interviews that she does not dye it for her role on Grey’s Anatomy. Wikipedia lists her hair color as red.
What is Sarah Drew’s natural hair color?
Strawberry blonde or light red, depending on lighting and seasons. She is often described as a “natural redhead.”
Does she dye her hair red for Grey’s Anatomy?
No — the character April Kepner’s iconic red hair is Drew’s own. She has reportedly said the show even asked her to keep her natural color.
The pattern: Unlike many actresses who change hair color for roles, Drew’s natural hue became a signature part of her most famous character.
What happened to Sarah Drew on Grey’s Anatomy?
Drew portrayed Dr. April Kepner for nine seasons — from 2009 through 2018 — and returned for a guest appearance in season 17 (2021). Her character left Seattle Grace after a near-death experience and a new job opportunity, but behind the scenes, Drew told The Hollywood Reporter that the departure was not her choice. Initially, she was only supposed to be in two episodes, but showrunner Shonda Rhimes expanded her role after seeing her performance, according to TV Insider.
Why did Sarah Drew leave Grey’s Anatomy?
The network decided not to renew her contract after season 14, part of a larger cast shake-up that also saw Jessica Capshaw exit. Drew has said she was “heartbroken” but grateful for the years.
When did Sarah Drew leave Grey’s Anatomy?
Her final episode as a series regular aired in May 2018 (season 14 finale). She returned for one episode in season 17 (2021).
Losing a steady network gig forced Drew to diversify — and that diversification (producing, directing, multiple platforms) may ultimately give her a more sustainable career than staying on a single show for a decade.
Why this matters: The exit, while painful, opened doors she might not have walked through otherwise.
Is Sarah Drew religious?
Yes — she is a Christian and has spoken publicly about how her faith influences her life and work. She attended the University of Virginia, which has no formal religious affiliation, but she has mentioned her Christian beliefs in interviews. Wikipedia lists her religion as Christian.
What religion is Sarah Drew?
She identifies as a Christian. She has not associated herself with a specific denomination in public statements, but she has said her faith guides her decisions, including turning down certain roles.
The implication: Drew’s faith is a private anchor, not a public platform — she rarely posts about it on social media, but it comes up in deeper career interviews.
What are Sarah Drew’s movies and TV shows?
Her filmography spans nearly three decades. You can find her on IMDb for the full list. Key highlights include:
- Daria (1997–2001) – voice of Stacy Rowe (her first major role) (TV Insider)
- Everwood (2004–2006) – Hannah Rogers (Wikipedia)
- Glee (2010) – nurse in one episode (IMDb)
- Grey’s Anatomy (2009–2018, 2021) – Dr. April Kepner
- Cruel Summer (2021) – supporting role
- Mistletoe Murders (2024–present) – lead and executive producer
Did Sarah Drew appear in Everwood?
Yes, she played Hannah Rogers in 9 episodes between 2004 and 2006, as confirmed by IMDb.
Did Sarah Drew appear in Glee?
Yes, she appeared in one 2010 episode as a nurse. That role, though small, shows her range across genres.
The trade-off: Drew’s career proves that a single defining role (April Kepner) doesn’t have to be the only chapter — she’s built a diverse body of work that spans animation, drama, comedy, and streaming.
What’s confirmed — and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Sarah Drew has two children. (IMDb bio)
- She is married to Peter Lanfer since 2002. (IMDb bio)
- She is a natural redhead. (Wikipedia)
- She is a Christian. (Wikipedia)
- She left Grey’s Anatomy after season 14. (The Hollywood Reporter)
- She returned for a guest role in season 17. (Wikipedia)
- She has acted in Everwood, Glee, and Cruel Summer. (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Exact birth dates of her children are not publicly reported.
- Specific net worth figure is not confirmed by reliable sources.
- The precise reason for her Grey’s Anatomy exit is not fully disclosed beyond standard network decisions.
“I had no idea I was even on the bubble. It was devastating.”
— Sarah Drew on her Grey’s Anatomy exit, via The Hollywood Reporter
“I’ve never dyed my hair. That’s all me — the strawberry blonde is real.”
— Sarah Drew, in an interview with TV Insider
“Balancing motherhood and acting is a juggle. But it’s a beautiful one.”
— Sarah Drew, as told to LA Parent
For fans who grew up with April Kepner and now want to know where the actress behind the character landed, the answer is: in the driver’s seat. Sarah Drew has transformed a network TV exit into a multi-hyphenate career — acting, producing, directing, and raising two kids. The choice she faced was simple: keep waiting for the phone to ring, or build her own projects. She chose the latter. For anyone wondering what happens when a beloved TV character leaves the screen, the lesson is clear: sometimes the best role is the one you write for yourself.
Fans of Sarah Drew may also enjoy reading about her fellow Greys Anatomy alum Jessica Capshaw and her journey on the show.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sarah Drew have children?
Yes, she has two children: a son and a daughter.
What does Sarah Drew do now?
She stars in and executive produces Hallmark+’s Mistletoe Murders and continues to act in TV movies and indie films.
Is Sarah Drew a natural redhead?
Yes — her natural hair color is strawberry blonde to light red.
What happened to Sarah Drew on Grey’s Anatomy?
She was written out after season 14 in 2018, a decision she said was not her choice. She returned as a guest in season 17.
How old are Sarah Drew’s kids?
As of 2025, her son Micah is around 13 and her daughter Hannah is around 11.
Is Sarah Drew religious?
Yes, she is Christian and has spoken about her faith in interviews.
Who is Sarah Drew’s husband?
She has been married to Dr. Peter Lanfer since 2002.
What movies and TV shows has Sarah Drew been in?
Her credits include Daria, Everwood, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Cruel Summer, and Mistletoe Murders.
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