Last night’s Grey’s Anatomy was truly an end of era, the death of #McDreamy Derek Shepherd played by Patrick Dempsey. His character was killed in a car accident.
Dempsey spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the plot twist, which was even more surprising in that Dempsey signed a two-year contract extension last year (there had been rumors of friction between creator Shonda Rhimes and Dempsey, though that was not addressed in the interview).
“It just sort of evolved,” Dempsey said, semi-cryptically, of Derek’s departure from the show. “It’s just kind of happened. It really was something that was kind of surprising that unfolded, and it just naturally came to be. Which was pretty good. I like the way it has all played out.” He said he was “not really” surprised by the decision: “It was just a natural progression with the way the story was unfolding. It was like, O.K.! This was obviously the right time.”
He did not “tear up” in the interview until he was asked what it was like working with Pompeo (who has yet to comment on Derek’s death).
“It was magic,” he said of their dynamic. “It’s beautiful. We’re like a married couple. It’s 10 years, and it was magic from the beginning. Chemistry right away.”
Meanwhile, Rhimes released the following statement about Dempsey’s departure:
“Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character—for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘McDreamy.’ Patrick Dempsey’s performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example—happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true—of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey’s Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: the carousel never stops turning.”
So Grey’s fans what do you think of this turn of events from last nights heartbreaking episode?
