Here at Instinct, we’ve been loving the new season of ABC's Grey’s Anatomy, especially with the arrival of Alex Landi as the show’s first openly gay surgeon, Dr. Nico Kim.
Here's a visual in case you haven't met the new doc:
As previously noted, in it’s 15 seasons on the air, the series has featured multiple LGBTQ characters. This includes bisexual Dr. Callie Torres, openly lesbian Dr. Arizona Robbins, and transgender intern Dr. Casey Parker.
The first few episodes of this season have introduced a flirtatious storyline between Kim and nerdy-but-totes-adorable "Dr. Levi 'Glasses' Schmitt," played by Jake Borelli, who joined the cast last season.
Schmitt, who hasn’t identified as anything but straight before now, gasped the first time he saw Kim. And in an operating room scene, he almost fainted when Kim winked at him.
After weeks of awkward conversations and missed connections, this all came to a head during last night’s episode as Kim made his move and kissed Schmitt in an elevator.
The kiss, and the moment after, are very touching. Check out this recap of the Kim/Glasses journey so far below.
The moment was so impactful, in fact, that Borelli took to his Instagram shortly after the episode aired and came out as gay.
“As a gay guy myself, tonight's episode was so special to me,” he began. “This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio, and it blows my mind that I'm able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on Grey’s Anatomy.”
“His vulnerability and courage inspire me every day, and I hope he can do the same for you,” he continued. “To all of you who feel like little Levis out there, know that I do too, that you are seen, and that we're all in this together. And to everyone who has supported me over the years, I can't thank you enough, and I love you more than all the stars…”
Krista Vernoff, the showrunner for Grey's Anatomy, told Entertainment Weekly that the inspiration for Borelli's character and budding romance was a friend in college "who was sort of a clumsy, fumfering type who would trip over his own feet and would stutter, and then he came out toward the end of our freshman year and emerged as a completely different human being because he was living in his truth. Living in his truth seemed to set something free in him where he was no longer tripping over his own feet."
"I wanted to tell that story with Jake because it felt like a really beautiful way to evolve his character,” she added. “Then we realized we’d never done it! It was a hugely exciting thing."
I don’t know about you, but we’re totally smitten with Mr. Borelli.
If you haven’t followed Grey’s Anatomy in a while, this is a great time to check back with the folks at Seattle’s Grace Mercy West Hospital.
While we’re here, let’s peruse some of Borelli’s Instagram, shall we?
Welcome to the gay family !
Welcome to the gay family !
Congrats on coming out!Â
Congrats on coming out! However, he needs to keep the scruff. His IMDB pic shows him clean-shaven and he looks like he's 15! We don't need Grey's Anatomy turning into Doogie Howser.