May 2021: Drew said the couple could "change the world of medicine" on a spinoff.
Drew departed "Grey's Anatomy" in 2018, but returned in May 2021 to reprise the role of Dr. April Kepner and help facilitate Williams' exit.
Drew was asked about a potential Japril spinoff at a press conference attended by Insider after her return. She was clear that the premise for a show featuring the pair (who were ex-spouses at that time in the story) working to make medicine equitable for minorities in Boston was just an idea.
But of a show about "racial justice in the medical field," she said, "How cool would that be?"
The "Cruel Summer" star continued: "I just kept thinking like, 'how cool would this couple be?' [Jackson] working from the position of having money and power to be actually able to make that change. And then she's working with folks experiencing homelessness and she's also [trying to make change] in her own way. These two could change the world of medicine, right?"
June 2021: Williams said he and Drew would "kill" a Japril spinoff.
A month after Drew's remarks, Insider's Caralynn Lippo asked Williams about a potential spinoff on a red carpet for the closing night of Tribeca Festival.
The actor said the premise of Jackson and April serving underrepresented communities in Boston "makes total sense."
"It's a really interesting premise. We would kill it," he continued, adding that Drew is "such a tremendous person and actor."
He said he understood where fans who want the spinoff are coming from and that their desire for him to continue the role was "all love."
"I won't say it's not a possibility. I sure as hell won't say that," he added.
December 2021: Williams said Japril fans "earned" and "deserve" a spinoff.
In a conversation with Insider in December 2021 for an article published in March 2022, Williams reflected on the loyalty of Japril fans and their dedication to campaigning for a spinoff on social media.
"If it's a matter of fan love, we would already be in episode eight of it right now," he said.
He added that "if there's such a thing as deserving it, they deserve it and we've earned it and it would be dope."
December 2021: Drew and Williams reflected on what they imagined Japril's life together in Boston would be like.
In the same conversation with Insider in December, Williams and Drew reflected on Jackson and April's potential romantic status in Boston.
"They seem to be so grounded, and calm, and there's nothing really left to fight about," Williams said.
The "Cabin in the Woods" star said that the pair knows they "love each other" and are "going to figure something out."
"I think that they probably moved there with separate apartments and she's always at my place," Williams mused.
"His is way nicer. He just has more money," Drew laughed, to which Williams responded, "Obviously. She's poor."
February 2022: Drew revealed how much she and Williams fought for Japril's future.
In Feburary, Drew provided a statement to Insider explaining that she and Williams fought to change Japril's story in the May 2021 episode where Jackson told April he was moving to Boston.
Drew said that April's life was supposed to be moving in a completely different direction when Jackson knocked on her door in the season 17 episode where she returned.
"The pitch that was given to me was April was super pregnant with Matthew's baby and Matthew wasn't home when Jackson came to the house to pitch April on the idea of going to Boston with him," Drew revealed. "There was a storm outside and Jackson had to deliver April's baby at the house, and through this whole experience, April decided to bring her whole family to Boston with Jackson."
On the episode that actually aired, April was persuaded to move to Boston in part because she was divorcing Mathew (Justin Bruening) a significant story change.
"Jesse and I talked about it and thought it would be more satisfying to the audience if they were left with some hope for Japril reuniting," Drew's statement continued. "Jesse pitched that to the writers and the writers agreed and then the story shifted."
May 2022: Drew reflected on her "tremendous partnership" with Williams.
Drew and Williams returned to "Grey's Anatomy" for the show's 400th episode and season 18 finale, which aired in May.
While talking to People at that time about her return and the potential for a spinoff, Drew said that she and Williams have talked "at length" about the hypothetical show.
"I think it would be a really interesting and fun story to tell," she continued. "Jesse and I obviously love working together, and we have a really tremendous partnership, so I wouldn't discount that as a possibility."
Drew acknowledged that fans are "begging" for the series. But she added: "As of yet, it's only living in the fandom right now."
May 2022: Drew revealed more details about her ideal spinoff.
After the 400th episode of "Grey's Anatomy" aired and confirmed Jackson and April had reunited romantically since their characters left the series, Drew appeared on Tommy DiDario's "Let's Stay Together" Instagram Live show.
"I think that's what's really fun about these two characters... they're both right now kind of really living in their purpose," she said at about the 8:10 mark of the video interview.
"And they're out to change the medical field and to fight for medical justice. We haven't seen that out in the world yet,"Drew added. "So, I think it could lend itself to really interesting, fun stories to tell."
"I want to see that. I want to show that, I want to play those scenes. I think that would be really fun," she said later. "Every time I go on set, I have cast and crew telling me: 'Wouldn't it be so fun to pop our head into Boston and see what's going on over there?'"
In Drew's mind, the Japril spinoff would ideally be about 10 episodes on a streaming platform. The "Cruel Summer" star did note that plans for spinoffs sometimes happen "very fast" and "nobody says anything until everything is decided upon."
A post shared by Tommy DiDario (@tommydidario)
May and June 2022: Drew and Williams agreed they want a "darker, grittier, and sexier" spinoff.
Drew also said on DiDario's show in May that she hoped a potential Japril spinoff would be on a streaming platform so that it could be "a little darker, and a little grittier, a little sexier."
Insider told Williams about Drew's chosen adjectives for the hypothetical show and asked him to describe his ideal spinoff while attending the Tony Awards red carpet in June,where Williams was nominated for best performance by a featured actor in a play for his role in the "Take Me Out" revival.
He echoed his costar, saying he'd want a Japril spinoff to be "darker, grittier, and sexier."
June 2022: Drew compared Japril to another iconic TV couple.
While talking to Nerds Of Color in June, Drew shared that since it was revealed Jackson and April were romantic partners once again in the 400th episode, she was now worried about the status of a spinoff.
She said she and Williams hadn't talked to each other about the spinoff in a while, but Drew was concerned because their reunion had happened off-screen already, which might dampen the interest in a spinoff where viewers could watch the characters get back together over time.
But then she said she remembered that stable couples on TV can still be iconic, citing the most beloved couple on NBC's hit "Friday Night Lights," Coach Taylor (Eric Chandler) and Tami Taylor (Connie Britton).
July 2022: Drew brought up revisiting Japril's story.
While promoting her new show "Amber Brown" on "GMA" in July, Drew brought up the possibility of a Japril spinoff or Japril-focused episodes of "Grey's Anatomy."
Asked at the end of the interview about the possibility that she'd return to the show again in the future, she said in part, "I'd love to check in on Jackson and April in Boston, and see what's going on with them." She appeared to be smiling and playing coy.
Go here to see the original:
'Grey's Anatomy' Japril spinoff: What Jesse Williams, Sarah Drew have said - Insider
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Kevin McKidd Announces the Death of His Father: 'Grateful for the Years of Love and Laughter' - PEOPLE - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Invisible anatomy in the fruit fly uterus: New discoveries could have implications for fertility and pest control - Phys.org - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Scott Speedman explains how he gets in trouble on Grey's Anatomy set - Digital Spy - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- 'One Tree Hill' Fans Won't Believe Which Star Is Heading to 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21 - Good Housekeeping - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Anatomy of Lies Duo on Greys Ex-Writer Elisabeth Finch: 'More to Story' - Hollywood Reporter - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Just Confirmed Schmitt's Exit Storyline Can Be His Best Happily Ever After - Screen Rant - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- The Anatomy and Aftermath of a PWHL Trade - The Hockey News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Tackles Voter Responsibility in Last Episode Before 2024 Election - TheWrap - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- 'Grey's Anatomy': Jo Snaps on Link When His Primary Concern About Expecting Twins Is Getting a Minivan (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Camilla Luddington Has One Wish For Her Greys Anatomy Pregnancy, And Im Not Sure I Agree - CinemaBlend - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- How Vanessa Parise Brought the Classic Greys Anatomy Magic to the Screen - Shondaland.com - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Trump speech turns bizarre with praise for Arnold Palmers anatomy and profanity for Harris - Fortune - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Anatomy of a Bad Trip: On the Less-Than-Magical Side of Magic Mushrooms - Literary Hub - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Deconstructing Art: Anatomy of a Killer Clown - Hollywood Reporter - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy actor Kevin McKidd is mourning death of his dad - Yahoo New Zealand News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Jason George On Returning to 'Grey's Anatomy' and Memorable Moments On Screen - EBONY - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Sarah Drew Clears Up Her Viral 'Grey's Anatomy' Firing Comments - Us Weekly - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Is Patrick Dempsey Returning For Scream 7? Heres The Latest From The Greys Anatomy Alum - CinemaBlend - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Every Grey's Anatomy Doctor Who's Been Fired (& Why) - CBR - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Cast Shares Behind-The-Scenes Look on Set, Reflect on Shows 21-Year-Run & Impact on Fans - Hollywood Reporter - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Fans Are Both Angry And Hopeful After That Carina Name-Drop, And Im Conflicted About What It Could Mean - CinemaBlend - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21's Amelia Story Honored 1 Of Derek Shepherd's Best Case From 15 Years Ago - Screen Rant - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy's Jason George Teases Ben and Bailey's Big Hurdle - Us Weekly - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Season 21 Casts New Recurring Character, Connection To Main Character Revealed - Screen Rant - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Jason George Compares Grey's Anatomy Return to 'Coming Back to Your Parents' House' But with 'New Faces' (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Reveals How 1 Major Character Exit Will Happen (& It Follows A Horrible Trend) - Screen Rant - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- 'Grey's Anatomy': Catherine's Secret Is Revealed, Meredith and Richard Face Off and Ben Stands Up for Himself - PEOPLE - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Review: 'Anatomy of Lies' Reveals the Depths of Elisabeth Finch, a Very Nasty Scammer - Pajiba Entertainment News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Catherine's life is on the line in a liver-centric episode - Entertainment Weekly News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Season 21: Check out episode schedule, where to watch and cast - The Economic Times - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- The anatomy of 3 videos alleging that many non-citizens are registered to vote in U.S. elections - UW Center for an Informed Public - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Out of the Line of Fire: Station 19 Star Jason George on Returning to Greys Anatomy - Shondaland.com - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- The Anatomy of a Swing State Harris vs. Trump October 11th - 1290 WJNO - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Anatomy of a Recession: The case for economic reacceleration | Franklin Templeton - Beyond Bulls & Bears - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Round Table: Blues Pointless Arc, the Doomed Mika/Jules Ship & Problematic Catherine - Seithikkural - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Deceitful Love review: Grey's Anatomy hunk keeps everyone guessing in lusty age-gap mystery - RadioTimes - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Boss on More Ellen Pompeo and Pushing Boundaries in Season 21 - Hollywood Reporter - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Star Camilla Luddington on Sticking With the Show for 13 Seasons, Jos Pregnancy and Alex Choosing Izzie - Variety - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21: How to Watch Without Cable - CNET - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Showrunner Talks Premieres Twists & Big Return, Teases Resilience-Themed Season 21 As 2 Cast Members Prepare To Exit - Deadline - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Season-Premiere Recap: A Slap in the Face - Vulture - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Boss Addresses Season 21 Premiere Slap Fakeout: We All Have Those Moments - TheWrap - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- 'Greys Anatomy': Meredith Is Blackmailed, Jos Secret Is Exposed and Baileys Fate Is Revealed in Season 21 Premiere - PEOPLE - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Photos from Grey's Anatomy's Departed Doctors: Where Are They Now? - E! Online - E! NEWS - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Here's Everything We Know About 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 22 - Cosmopolitan - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How Greys Anatomy Keeps Upping the Drama: Sex, Disasters and More Than 140 Tumors - The Wall Street Journal - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Star Chandra Wilson Reflects On 21 Seasons: It Is My Greatest Honor - Forbes - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Checking In With Justin Chambers, Patrick Dempsey and More Departed Grey's Anatomy Doctors - E! NEWS - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Catherine's Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Problem Resolution Was Already Revealed Two Years Ago - Screen Rant - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Showrunner Addresses Two Actors Leaving the Show in Middle of Season 21 - Just Jared - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- A Greys Anatomy Catch-up Guide, No Matter How Far Behind You Are - Vulture - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 22: Will It Happen? Everything We Know - Screen Rant - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Volcanic Anatomy, Mapped as It Erupts - Eos - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Premiere's Big Lie Is A Wasted Opportunity For 1 Original Character - Screen Rant - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Rita Puig-Serra On Her Exhibition Anatomy Of An Oyster At PhMuseum Lab - PHmuseum - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How to watch Grey's Anatomy season 21 online for free and from anywhere 2024 episodes - TechRadar - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Dives Into The Interns Love Lives In Season 21 Premiere, But Im Super Annoyed About One Couple - CinemaBlend - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How to watch 'Grey's Anatomy' season 21 online from anywhere - Tom's Guide - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy airs touching tribute to Stephanie Leifer in season 21 premiere - Digital Spy - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy's Camilla Luddington Teases on Jo's 'Tornado of Emotions' (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How to watch the season premiere of Greys Anatomy with a FREE live stream - PennLive - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Season 21 Premiere Recap: Reversal of Misfortune Plus, That Steamy Kiss Damn - TVLine - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Oliwood feat. Evans, Mahall, Landfermann - Anatomy of Anarchy (Jazzwerkstatt, 2024) - The Free Jazz Collective - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Is 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21 Streaming? Where To Watch the Highly-Anticipated Return to Grey Sloan - Collider - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy Boss Teases How New 10 p.m. Timeslot Could Lead to Boundary-Pushing Story Lines - Us Weekly - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Jason George revives 'Grey's Anatomy' role as Dr. Ben Warren returns to the show - Scripps News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Release Date, Trailer and Everything to Know - Us Weekly - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Anatomy of a crash: We just happened to be on motorcycles - The Globe and Mail - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Transformers One | Anatomy of a Scene - The New York Times - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Kathryn Crosby death: Anatomy of a Murder actor and Bing Crosbys widow dies aged 90 - The Independent - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Anatomy of Lies: Inside the Twisty Story of the Greys Anatomy Scammer - Vanity Fair - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- The 10 Best Meredith Grey Quotes From 'Grey's Anatomy,' Ranked - Collider - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Greys Anatomy writer who lied about having cancer is subject of Peacock docuseries - New York Post - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- For Years She Fooled Hollywood: Peacock Reveals Docuseries Based on Greys Anatomy Writer Case - Hollywood Reporter - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Anatomy of a Fall Outfit MK2 Inks Multi-Year Financing Deal With IPR.VC - Hollywood Reporter - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Anatomy Of Lies trailer recounts tangled web of untruths from ex- Grey's Anatomy writer - The A.V. Club - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Favorites 'Did Not Get Along' When They Met - Newsweek - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Peacock Docseries to Cover Grey's Anatomy Writer Who Lied About Cancer - Us Weekly - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- The Greys Anatomy S21 Trailer: Fights, Slaps, and Golf? - Shondaland.com - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- An anatomy of Arsenals away wins in 2024: Free-flowing thrashings, contained opportunism - The Athletic - The New York Times - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]