Sarah Drew Is Leaving Door ‘Open’ for Future ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Appearances (Exclusive)

Sarah Drew is leaving the door open when it comes to a return to Grey’s Anatomy.

The Mistletoe Murders star, 44, tells PEOPLE in 10 that she would reprise her beloved role as Dr. ​​April Kepner on the hit ABC medical drama series.

“I always say that that door is always open, that place is like family to me and I love going back and visiting so, you know, ball’s in their court,” she says with a shrug.

The actress appeared on the series for nine seasons from 2009 to 2018 and has since come back to the show for guest appearances.

Drew reveals that her departure from the show allowed her to grow as an artist and begin creating her own projects — including the new Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders, which both stars in and executive produces.

“I had such an incredible, life-changing experience on that show, so I was able to leave the show all of a sudden with a platform and a fan base and a name out in the world,” she explains. “So it allowed me to kind of go, what do I want to do? Where do I want to go next?”

“I’m producing and writing and directing now, and I don’t think I would be making my own stuff if I was still on Grey’s, maybe I would be.” she continues. “But I know that for me, walking out into the world, into the unknown world, really forced me to go, who do I want to be? What stories do I want to tell? How do I want to expand as an artist?”

Drew adds that she is “so grateful” for her experience on Grey’s Anatomy as it allowed her to take more control of her career.

“I’ve stepped out into the world in a leadership role and I think having the leadership role is now one of the greatest joys of my career,” she shares.

Drew’s comments come after she discussed her exit from the series during an episode of the Call It What It Is podcast with her former Grey’s co-stars Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw earlier this month. She recalled that departing in 2018 felt like “being fired from our family” after appearing on the series for nine seasons.

“We were unceremoniously let go in a way that felt really mean and unjust,” she said of her and Capshaw, whose role as Arizona Robbins was cut from the show at the end of season 14 (at the same time as Drew). “And, because of that, the outpouring of love was so enormous it was like you were sitting there watching people say all the things that they love about you after you’re dead.”

Drew shared that she no longer has the same ties to the series as she did originally.

“I have no attachment to it at all,” she said. “So I think so there’s peace. When you’re on the show, you know, you never know what’s gonna happen. You never know if they’re gonna lose interest in your story line or if you piss off the wrong person, then something’s gonna happen. Like, you don’t know. But when I just popped back in to say hello, it I have zero anxiety, and I don’t need anything from anybody on that set anymore.”

“They’re not responsible for my livelihood anymore,” she added. “They’re not responsible for my success or my joy. So it feels very, very freeing to pop back in because I’m like, ‘Hey, this is a fun spot to come visit.’”

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu the next day. Mistletoe Murders premieres Oct. 31 on Hallmark+.