On May 6th, Grey’s Anatomy will reunite Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and April Kepner (Sarah Drew), which could indicate that Jackson will leave the hit medical drama for his happy ending. Fans of the series have been awaiting Jackson’s reunion with April since Sarah Drew departed the show in the season 14 finale to be with her paramedic husband Matthew. Promos for Grey’s Anatomy, season 17, episode 14 “Look Up Child” have given Japril fans plenty of clues about Jackson’s future on the series, and one Japril theory may explain why.
While Jackson initially made a bad impression with his arrogance after Seattle Grace merged with Mercy West, he quickly became a beloved character on Grey’s Anatomy. Supremely intelligent and a world-class plastic surgeon, the handsome Jackson Avery had significant arcs on the hit series, particularly during his relationship with April. He pushed his own grief aside to support April after their baby Samuel Avery died a few hours after birth. He also impulsively declared his love for April as she was standing at the altar ready to marry Matthew. But Jackson’s storylines have dried up since April’s departure when she reunited with Matthew, and a recent no-strings-attached sexual relationship with Jo during the current Covid-19 focused season 17 has felt forced, leading to some speculation that he is being set up to leave Grey’s Anatomy.
Promos for the upcoming Japril reunion tellingly included flashbacks to Jackson’s and April’s relationship, leading to speculation that Japril is the endgame. One TikTok user, randomtingz3, indicated that April appears in the promo without her wedding ring, which could suggest that she is newly single. Most importantly, Grey’s Anatomy has a habit of bringing back cast members to wrap another character’s storyline, like when Alex left to reunite with Izzie, or when Preston Burke reappeared to offer his job to Christina Yang in Zurich. There's enough here to suspect that the theories may be true.
While April appears shocked to see Jackson at her doorstep in the promo, this could be a meaningful reunion that motivates Jackson to leave Grey’s Anatomy. After all, Arizona moved to New York to be closer to her daughter Sofia, so Jackson leaving Grey Sloane Memorial to be closer to April and Harriet is not so much a stretch as it is a beautiful possibility. There are additional considerations that may also explain why Jackson could leave Grey’s Anatomy. Jesse Williams’ signed a two-year deal to remain on the show back in 2019 and hasn’t renewed his contract. In fact, there is still no confirmation that Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for an 18th season. Williams is also the producer of the Academy Award-winning Netflix short film Two Distant Strangers, and with several productions in development, he may be walking toward the next chapter in his career.
Jackson Avery has evolved to become a generous and mature surgeon and father. He compassionately let April go to Jordon to heal after Samuel died, and was genuinely happy for her when she married Matthew. If the upcoming episode “Look Up Child” leads to April and Jackson reuniting before Jackson leaves Grey’s Anatomy, it might just be the perfect ending for his character.
Grey's Anatomy, season 17, episode 14 "Look Up Child" airs May 6 on ABC.