Sarah Drew Previews Character, Grey's Anatomy Role

Despite what last week's Grey's Anatomy episode may have led you to believe as the credits rolled, Izzie Stevens and Katherine Heigl are not leaving Seattle Grace for good.

Heigl's hiatus is temporary, though that doesn't mean the next few weeks are going to be less painful for her husband Alex (Justin Chambers) or the rest of the SGH gang.

Not only are the wounds from George O'Malley's death still fresh, but we get the feeling that the ambitious new kids are going to be fighting tooth and nail to fill Izzie's void.

Asked if the new docs are going to continue moving in on her turf, new guest star Sarah Drew said, "I think that may come out of it, but I have to be a little cagey with that."

Sarah also revealed that her character, Dr. April Kepner, is going to cut back on the nasty, needy All About Eve routine. According to Sarah, "Lexie's (Chyler Leigh) apology that happened at the end of the last episode definitely carries through.

"There isn't as much animosity in the rest [in the rest of the episodes]."

Sarah Drew made her Grey's Anatomy debut last week.

That doesn't mean she's not still desperate to secure herself a permanent position at Seattle Grace: "April is a very, very good doctor. She really knows what she's doing, she's worked really hard, and she certainly wants to do her best and stick around."

So, could that actually happen? Could any of the new kids become a permanent fixture on Grey's Anatomy? Sarah isn't allowed to reveal how many episodes she's signed to do, but she would definitely be interested in staying if given the opportunity.

"I think it's a really fun character and, of course, getting to be on that show is wonderful and exciting for any actress in Hollywood so I would love to stick around," she said.

In the meantime, look for Team Orange Crush to start blending with the rest of the gang (they'll don regular Seattle Grace colors this week) along with continuing BFF-ness for Sarah's character April and Nora Zehetner's character Reed Adamson.

"There is definitely a close bond between those two characters," she said.

Lastly, Sarah Drew pleads for a chance for you to accept her!

"Please, give me a chance, because I want to work!" laughs Sarah. "But to be serious, April has a competitive spirit of 'What are we gonna do to stick around? How are we gonna work harder?' I think what happened in the first episode was a little difficult."

"That's in large part because the competition came at the cost of some of the patients. But if that can be translated into just doing more excellent work in order to stick around, then we should all stick around to be better doctors and save more lives."

The fabulous Sarah Drew is back on your TV this Thursday at 9 p.m. on ABC on Grey's Anatomy and then on Glee on November 18. She's a cutie who's not to be missed!