Miami Living Magazine features the best Miami has to offer. Click on any magazine below and enjoy. You can download our free app on iTunes. Ideal for iPad and iPhone users.
Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1530613
Sarah Drew, known best for her role as the lovable ‘Dr. April Kepner’ on nine seasons of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, is much more than just a TV doctor. Now a writer, director, and producer, Drew divulges her latest project, Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders, where she acts as executive producer and headlines the series as the smart and tough ‘Emily Lane.’ Beyond her most recent venture, Drew talks with Miami Living about inspiration from her daily life, Miami travels, and her time as ‘Dr. April Kepner,’ speaking on how the role shaped her, her favorite moments on the show, and her painful, yet empowering exit. Miami Living: Can you tell us about your latest project, Mistletoe Murders? What drew you to this Hallmark series, and how does it stand out from other holiday specials this season? Sarah Drew: I thought the script was amazing. The mystery was really well-crafted and took a lot of fun twists and turns, but what really made me want to do the show was the character arc for Emily Lane. The flashback scene at the end of episode one had my jaw on the floor. I was so excited to play a character with a lot of secrets—someone who is ultimately good but will blur the lines for the greater good. There’s nothing like this in any other holiday offerings. There’s intrigue, adventure, mystery, comedy, romance, and heartbreaking vulnerability. It’s a dream show to be a part of. Miami Living: Holiday-themed roles seem to be a recurring part of your career. What is it about these roles that resonates with you personally? Sarah Drew: They are all different. I think the reason holiday movies are so appealing is because you know going into it that everything will ultimately be OK by the end. So much of life is not like that, and it’s comforting to watch a movie that has true resolution—true repair after rupture. I like stories that have repair and redemption, and each of the projects I’ve chosen to do has some element of that. Miami Living: Mistletoe Murders blends the warmth of the holidays with the intrigue of a murder mystery. Was this shift in tone a new challenge for you? What have you discovered about yourself through this project? Sarah Drew: I wouldn’t say it was a challenge in any way that every role is a challenge. The greatest challenge to me was playing a character with so many different layers to her. Emily becomes who she needs to be in each situation to get what she needs to solve the puzzle. Playing a character who is true to herself internally but someone else entirely on the outside is a very big challenge for me. Miami Living: Your long-standing role as Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy left a significant mark on your career. How did that experience shape you as an actress? Sarah Drew: In so many ways. I think the biggest lesson for me on that show was to use my voice. Sandra Oh was an incredible example