Jake Borelli, a veteran of the long-running ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has made a high-profile return to the series, transitioning from his longtime role as Dr. Levi Schmitt to the director’s chair for the Season 22 episode titled Feel It Still. The episode, which aired on Thursday, April 2, marks Borelli’s directorial debut on the series that served as his professional home for seven seasons. This transition highlights a growing tradition within the Grey Sloan Memorial universe, where tenured actors leverage their deep institutional knowledge of the show’s complex narrative and technical demands to helm episodes from behind the camera.
Borelli’s character, Levi Schmitt, departed the series midway through Season 21, following a narrative arc that saw the character move to Texas to pursue a prestigious pediatrics fellowship alongside his partner, James Morgan, portrayed by Michael Thomas Grant. While Borelli briefly returned in front of the camera for a guest appearance during the wedding of Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) and Atticus "Link" Lincoln (Chris Carmack), his latest contribution represents a significant career pivot. Directing Feel It Still required Borelli to manage a sprawling ensemble cast, intricate medical procedures, and the high-stakes emotional beats that have defined the Shonda Rhimes-created series for over two decades.
The Evolution of Jake Borelli from Intern to Director
Jake Borelli first joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy in 2017 during its fourteenth season. Initially introduced as a clumsy intern nicknamed "Glasses," Schmitt evolved into a cornerstone of the series, eventually becoming a Chief Resident and a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation on the show. His journey as a director began behind the scenes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the mentorship of executive producer and producing director Debbie Allen, Borelli began "shadowing" veteran directors to learn the technical nuances of television production.
The shadowing process on Grey’s Anatomy is a rigorous informal apprenticeship. Borelli spent years observing the workflows of directors such as Allison Liddi-Brown and Billy Woodruff. According to production insiders, this period allowed Borelli to study the "visual language" of the show—a specific blend of fast-paced "walk-and-talk" sequences, intimate close-ups, and the complex choreography required for operating room scenes. Borelli’s transition follows in the footsteps of other series regulars including Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), Kim Raver (Teddy Altman), and Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery), all of whom have directed multiple episodes of the series.
Directorial Highlights of Season 22 Episode 16
In Feel It Still, Borelli was tasked with helming an episode characterized by significant emotional shifts and technical complexity. A primary narrative thread involves Jo Wilson’s first full day back at work following the birth of her twins. The episode explores the psychological toll of postpartum stress, exacerbated by a traumatic delivery that involved a simultaneous emergency C-section and heart surgery.
Borelli’s direction of the confrontation between Jo and Link has been noted for its intimacy. By focusing on the vulnerability of the characters in a private setting—the couple’s home—Borelli provided a stark contrast to the sterile, high-pressure environment of Grey Sloan Memorial. Production notes indicate that Borelli utilized his existing rapport with Camilla Luddington to push the emotional boundaries of the scene, resulting in a performance that captured the raw reality of postpartum recovery.
The episode also featured a heavy medical load, with four distinct patient storylines occurring concurrently within the hospital. Borelli worked closely with writer Sandra Hamada to ensure the pacing remained tight while allowing the character-driven moments to breathe. This structural balance is a hallmark of the Grey’s Anatomy brand, requiring a director to navigate the transition from surgical precision to romantic tension seamlessly.
Technical Execution and Narrative Easter Eggs
A notable aspect of Borelli’s directorial style in Feel It Still was his use of visual callbacks to the show’s history. Fans of the series identified a specific "Easter egg" involving an elevator scene between characters Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill) and Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane). Borelli chose to film the sequence in the same elevator where his own character, Levi Schmitt, shared a landmark first kiss with Nico Kim (Alex Landi) in earlier seasons.
By mirroring the framing and the lobby’s "deep" visual field from that previous iconic moment, Borelli paid homage to his character’s legacy while establishing new romantic tensions for the current cast. This level of detail is often cited as the primary advantage of having former cast members direct; their innate understanding of the show’s geography and emotional history allows for layers of subtext that guest directors might overlook.
Navigating Major Cast Departures and Leadership Shifts
The production of Feel It Still coincided with the announcement of significant cast changes, most notably the impending exits of Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver. Both actors have been pillars of the series for over a decade, and their departures signal a new era for the show. Borelli, having recently navigated his own exit from the series, reportedly provided a unique perspective on set, offering empathy and professional support to his colleagues during their final episodes.
The episode also advanced a critical storyline involving hospital leadership. A confrontation between Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) served as a focal point for the episode’s climax. Borelli requested a physical expansion of the set—specifically a longer hallway—to heighten the tension of the scene. This decision allowed for a more ominous, cinematic approach to the dialogue, underscoring the growing rift between the two veteran characters. The scene ended on a cliffhanger regarding hospital policy and professional accountability, setting the stage for the final episodes of the season.
The Broader Impact on Grey’s Anatomy’s Longevity
The success of Borelli’s directorial debut comes at a time when Grey’s Anatomy continues to defy industry trends regarding the lifespan of scripted television. ABC recently announced the renewal of the series for a twenty-third season, extending its record as the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history.
Industry analysts suggest that the show’s ability to foster talent from within—such as Borelli’s move to directing—is a key factor in its sustainability. By creating a pipeline for actors to transition into production roles, the show maintains a consistent tone and quality even as the onscreen cast evolves. Furthermore, the inclusion of new characters like Dani (Jade Bender) and the continued development of the residency program ensure that the narrative remains fresh for a multi-generational audience.
Statistical Context and Series Trajectory
The longevity of Grey’s Anatomy is supported by robust viewership data across both linear and streaming platforms. As of Season 22, the series remains a top performer for ABC in the 18-49 demographic. On streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix, the show consistently ranks among the most-watched library titles, attracting a younger audience that has discovered the series long after its 2005 premiere.
The transition of Jake Borelli to a director role also reflects a broader trend in Hollywood where "multi-hyphenate" careers are becoming the standard. For Borelli, directing an episode with 460 episodes of preceding history offered what he described as a "cheat code"—an intimate familiarity with the characters’ motivations and the show’s structural requirements.
Future Outlook for the Series
As Grey’s Anatomy moves toward its twenty-third season, the narrative focus appears to be shifting toward the next generation of medical professionals. Fan theories have long speculated that the series will eventually culminate in Zola Grey Shepherd (Aniela Gumbs), the daughter of the show’s original protagonist Meredith Grey, becoming a chief resident or surgeon at the hospital.
While Borelli’s future with the show remains flexible, he has expressed a desire to return both in front of and behind the camera. The successful reception of Feel It Still suggests that Borelli has secured a place in the show’s rotating roster of directors. His journey from a "bumbling intern" in Season 14 to a confident director in Season 22 serves as a microcosm of the show’s own evolution: a constant process of reinvention that remains anchored in the emotional and professional lives of the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial.
The episode Feel It Still stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Grey’s Anatomy and its ability to mentor the next generation of television creators. By empowering actors like Borelli to take the helm, the series ensures that its legacy is preserved by those who understand its heartbeat most intimately. As the show prepares for Season 23, the integration of veteran knowledge with fresh directorial perspectives remains the cornerstone of its unprecedented success.
