Still, he shared that there was one character he wanted to see Levi break the news to.
DEADLINE:How did you find out that that Levis story would be coming to an end?
Were you hoping for a longer goodbye to be able to have more final scenes with more cast members?
Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt in ‘Greys Anatomy’Disney/Nino Munoz
BORELLI: I certainly would have loved to have it stretched the whole season.
But I think in the future, there might be some some moments to speak on that.
I would have loved for it to keep going forever, but well see.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – If You Leave – Camilla Luddington, Jake Borelli (Disney/Tina Thorpe)Disney/Tina Thorpe
DEADLINE:Well talk about a potential return in a bit.
Your final episode was surprisingly low-key.
Levi got to save a baby but it was mostly him and Jo in the NICU.
How did you approach that final episode and those scenes with Jo?
Eight years later, were playing best friends, and theyre honestly the most fun scenes that we have.
You should have seen us at the table read.
We were bawling, and we were right there with the characters.
DEADLINE:By bawling you mean crying, right?
BORELLI: Oh, yeah, not laughing.
I mean, there was certainly laughter, but it was a sad moment to be closing this friendship.
(you could read Luddingtons heartfelt farewell message to Borelli below.)
DEADLINE:What was the very last scene that you shot?
They made me a cake.
It was 10 seconds with no dialogue but was it intentional?
And there definitely was some of that.
And so I think that they wanted some sort of connection there as well.
What do you think about the juxtaposition of the two exits?
I think both of these big things are catalysts for change in both of these characters lives.
It was a really emotional scene between friends and the last of their group of interns.
How was it filming it?
BORELLI: Jaicy is, literally, I cant understate how much of my best friend she is.
Weve gone through so much together.
And I still see her every day, so thats not going to change.
In Episode 7, we pick up after Levi already had told him.
James clearly took it pretty well from what we saw after.
Its something that Levi and Nico never really had.
Do they do this big leap for each other?
Do they move across the country for one another?
Do they go into a long distance relationship, which we all know is hard.
That was the struggle that I thought was interesting because its a struggle that so many relationships have.
DEADLINE:A quick side note.
And I was like, this works for me.
It was super fun to play.
For you, what are some of the scenes and storylines that felt most impactful over the years?
BORELLI: There has been a throughline with blood with Levi, we know this.
So that has been one massive storyline that Ive loved be a throughline for him.
It was not in the script.
Was it scary for you at the time when it was pitched to you?
BORELLI: Oh yeah, it was terrifying.
I almost didnt do it.
And thats what we did for the last seven years.
So yes, it was terrifying.
I almost didnt do that.
Imsoglad that I did it.
Well take it as it comes.
DEADLINE:In your final scenes, Jo talked about Levis big heart.
What would you miss the most playing him?
BORELLI: Im just going to miss knowing what hes doing.
Are you hopeful that Levi will come back?
BORELLI: Im very hopeful that Levi will come back.
I think the audience is interested to see what Levi is up to, I certainly am.
Well see what Meg does.
Well see whats in store for the future of the show.
Whats kind of crazy is it feels like I havent left because Im still on set right now.
These are relationships that Ive cherished for so long and that I still have.
I would love to hop back on camera, but maybe itll also be behind the scenes.
DEADLINE:What is next for you beyond Greys.
You mentioned that we may be living in scary times again; what are your plans?
BORELLI: I hope to continue telling queer stories on platforms likeGreys, if notGreys.
Im also very, very excited to start directing my own films.
