Are you still heartbroken over Patrick Dempsey's exit from Grey's Anatomy? Let me tell you, I feel you. For 11 incredible years, fans of this medical drama, masterfully crafted by Shonda Rhimes, watched as Patrick's Dr. Derek Shepherd saved lives, imparted wisdom about life and death, and fell deeply in love with his onscreen wife, Dr. Meredith Grey. It was a shock when Patrick, then 51, decided to leave the show a year before his contract ended. It was like saying goodbye to an old friend.
Patrick, who fans fondly called "McDreamy," revealed that the decision to part ways was mutual. Shonda agreed that it was time for Patrick to focus on other aspects of his life. The relentless filming schedule had started to take a toll on Patrick, his wife Jillian Fink, and their three children, Tallula, Darby, and Sullivan. "I’m very grateful for Grey's Anatomy," Patrick told People. "It opened doors for me in every possible way. But there was a cost, and it was time to move on."
Patrick reflected on his decade-long commitment to the series, saying, "It had been long enough. It was time for me to explore other interests and passions. Looking back, I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier. I stayed longer than I should have." Naturally, fans wondered what Shonda would do with his character. And as it turned out, the answer was inevitable—McDreamy would have to be killed off. It was a dramatic but fitting end.
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Shonda explained, "The decision to have Derek die the way he did wasn’t difficult because of the limited options. Either Derek would walk out on Meredith, leaving her heartbroken and alone, or he would meet a tragic end. Walking out on Meredith would suggest that the love we celebrated for 11 years wasn't real. That McDreamy wasn't truly McDreamy. For me, that was unacceptable."
Why Derek Had to Die
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Walking out on Meredith, played by the talented Ellen Pompeo, was simply not an option. It would have shattered the essence of their love story. In Season 11, Derek met a tragic end in a car accident, but his love for Meredith remained undeniable. Shonda added, "Meredith and Derek’s love had to remain true. As painful as it was for me, it was necessary to preserve the authenticity of their love. Derek had to die for that love to remain honest. I couldn't let him become a bad guy who walked out on his family. To me, that was the only way to keep their magic intact and forever frozen in time."
What’s Patrick Up To Now?
With more time on his hands, Patrick has been diving into new passions and causes. One of his biggest focuses has been on The Dempsey Center, a project he started after his mother, Amanda Dempsey, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The Dempsey Center offers "quality of life services" to cancer patients, addressing their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs. From this initiative, The Dempsey Challenge was born. This event invites participants to walk, run, or cycle for a great cause.
View this post on InstagramThe #DempseyChallenge to benefit the @DempseyCenter is only ONE MONTH away! Help us meet our fundraising goal of $1.5 Million! Register to run, walk or cycle (Oct 7-8 in Lewes, ME):dempseychallenge.org
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Beyond The Dempsey Center, Patrick has been splitting his time between homes in Malibu, CA, and Jacksonville, TX. He also starred in Bridget Jones’ Baby, which hit theaters in September 2016. Patrick has been focusing on family life, as seen through the many photos he shares on Instagram.
Reuniting with a Familiar Face
Patrick recently reunited with his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Kate Walsh, for a commercial for insurance company Cigna. Fans loved seeing Derek and Addison Montgomery back together. "Kate’s always been fun to work with, and her comic timing is amazing," Patrick said about the experience. "We were always playful on set, and this was a great opportunity to just enjoy each other's company and make each other laugh."
