In the upcoming 21st season of the medical drama "Grey’s Anatomy," actor Jake Borelli, who portrays Dr. Levi Schmitt, will be departing the series. Borelli has been a part of the show for seven years, having joined in season 14 as an intern and eventually rising to the role of senior resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. His character is noted for being involved in the first gay male relationship between doctors on the series.
This change comes as the show itself faces budget cuts, which have led to a decrease in episodic guarantees for actors, potentially affecting their appearance in future episodes. Reports note that the contracts of other series regulars, including Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr, are also up for renewal.
The details about Borelli’s departure and the financial adjustments to the show were initially reported by Deadline and then confirmed by other entertainment news sources. ABC, the network that produces "Grey’s Anatomy," has been contacted for comments but has not yet responded.