'Grey's Anatomy' Star Sarah Drew Talks Portraying April Kepner as 'Authentic Christian,' and Saving Herself For Marriage

Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew
Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew of Grey's Anatomy on ABC can really identify with her roles as the Christian Dr. April Kepner on the show. That's because she, too, is a Christian and her faith is very important to her. Raised by a Presbyterian Minister, she grew up in a Christian home.  

She recently sat down with Fox411 and talked about how it was important for her to have input into how the character is portrayed in the show, and how her beliefs have affected her life, in and out of hollywood.

Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew
Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew

For Drew, who joined the show in  2009, playing Dr. Kepner was a way to present her Christian beliefs. As the slightly neurotic Christian surgeon on Grey's, Drew had the opportunity to portray a different image of Christianity than what is stereotypically portrayed on the big and little screen.  Instead of a "judgmental Christian", she chose to make her character more authentic.

"I think in the media, Christians are the butt of every joke or they are portrayed running around condemning everyone to hell. Shonda [Rhimes] came to me and said you know a lot about this and to tell her story authentically, we need your input."

The Grey's Anatomy character wasn't originally intended to be a Christian, but after the producers saw how important Drew's faith was to her, the writers decided to explore a very unique character, and asked Drew to portray an "authentic Christian."

"For April, the first thing that was revealed was she was a virgin. I waited until I was married to have sex so I understood April's motivations. The writers thought it would be a really cool and interesting story to tell that isn't seen too often," Drew said.

Drew, like Tim Tebow and Kirk Cameron, who have stated publicly that they waited for marriage to have sex, seems to be an oddity in today's sex-crazed society.

Drew has been married since 2002 to Peter Lanfer, and she is happy she waited. Two years ago, the couple welcomed baby boy Micah Emmanuel Lanfer into their world.  

Currently, her character is working through the struggle of being sexually active and staying true to her faith. In the last episode of Grey's Anatomy, April left her wedding to run away with her first love, and the person she eventually lost her virginity to, Dr. Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams. For April,  losing her virginity was a huge issue, and a storyline that didn't go away in one episode.

Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew
Grey's Anatomy Sarah Drew

Drew said she understood her character's humanity, and could identify with her struggles.  

"April's human and she's going to make mistakes and fail, but I want to be very clear that I'm not trying to get on a soapbox and tell people how to behave," she said.  

As a Christian, she sees non judgment as a key to following Christ Jesus.  

"He's completely opposed to running around and judging people," She said. "I want to be able to show someone who thinks deeply and cares for people and actually tries to live out who Jesus is. That's what I try to do in my daily life." 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.