Borelli played Dr. Levi Schmitt on Grey’s for more than seven seasons, starting as a recurring in Seasons 14-before becoming a series regular for Seasons 16-20 and doing a final arc over the first seven episodes of Season 21.

During Borelli’s November 2024 exit interview with Deadline, he spoke about his directing apprenticeship on the show.

“I’ve been shadowing Debbie Allen, our executive producer and director, for several years… so I still very much feel part of the world,” he said. “I would love to hop back on camera, but maybe it’ll also be behind the scenes.”

Borelli, who made his directorial debut with the short Ignis last June, shadowed Grey’s director/executive producer Allen (who also plays Catherine Fox on the show) for 3+ years.

As an actor, Borelli has been back on Grey’s once since his exit as Levi attended BFF Jo’s (Camilla Luddington) wedding to Link (Chris Carmack) in the penultimate episode last season. He is yet to visit her following the birth of her twins.

As a director, Borelli gets to preside over a milestone moment for Jo.