Patrick Dempsey left 'Grey's Anatomy' as Dr. Derek Shepherd after 11 seasons. Since then, he's discussed why he left the show and what he's been up to since.

Elizabeth Randolph - Author

In Grey’s Anatomy Season 11, enthusiasts watched as Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) lost the affection of her lifestyles, Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). During the episode “How to Save a Life,” Derek will get hit by a semi-truck whilst sitting in his car. After being transferred to some other health center, the acclaimed neurosurgeon died of a mind injury.

Derek’s demise marked the top of the “MerDer” love tale and Patrick’s 11-year reign. However, the actor has bounced back with more than one projects out of doors of the clinical drama.

Article continues underneath advertisement

Where is Patrick Dempsey now?

After opting for to leave Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick continued acting in different films and TV presentations. In 2015, he starred as Jack reverse Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones’ Baby. Following the function, Patrick gave the impression in a short film, Red Nose Day Actually, and The Bible Collection: Jeremiah. In 2020, the Can’t Buy Me Love actor graced the small display within the 10-part sequence Devils. He additionally signed on for the Enchanted sequel, Disenchanted, as Amy Adams’ love interest.

Article continues under advertisement

In the years since his Grey’s Anatomy go out, Patrick hasn’t shied away from embracing Derek Shepherd’s impact on pop culture. The actor put again on his scientific jacket in 2017 when he reunited with his TV ex-wife, Kate Walsh (Addison Montgomery) to film a industrial for Cigna.

Then, Patrick stunned many fanatics when he returned to Grey’s Anatomy in Season 17. During the season, Meredith sees Derek while she’s in a coma from coronavirus (COVID-19). Although some Grey’s fanatics have been thrilled to see MerDer again, Patrick showed the cameo was once Derek’s final sendoff.

“I assumed it was once a stupendous means to shut it,” he informed Variety in April 2021. “The goal was to in reality give other people some hope as a result of they are such an iconic couple.”

Article continues beneath commercial

Why did Patrick Dempsey go away ‘Grey’s Anatomy?’

Following Patrick’s Grey’s Anatomy departure, many lovers questioned why he chose to say goodbye to his much-beloved persona. In the e book How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy, manufacturer James D. Parriott claimed Patrick didn’t in reality leave on his own accord. According to James, the actor was once steadily “terrorizing the set,” and the placement changed into so bad that he and Shonda Rhimes “were at each and every different’s throats." He then said Patrick constantly complained about the show’s work environment.

Article continues below advertisement

In the same book, Patrick admitted the grueling hours on set ultimately affected his decision to leave. Working on the show affected his marriage to makeup artist Jill Dempsey and his relationships with their three children, Talula, Darby, and Sullivan. Before Patrick left the show, Jill filed for divorce in 2014, but the pair were able to work things out.

Article continues below advertisement

"It’s 10 months, 15 hours an afternoon," Patrick stated in an excerpt sent to Entertainment Weekly. "You never know your time table, so your child asks you, 'What are you doing on Monday?' And you cross, 'I don’t know,' as a result of I don’t know my schedule. Doing that for 11 years is challenging."

"But you might have to be grateful because you’re well-compensated, so you'll’t in reality whinge because you don’t really have a right," he continued. "You don’t have keep an eye on over your schedule. So, you've got to simply be versatile."

Despite the alleged drama, Shonda shared on the 2015 Summer TCA press excursion that she and Patrick mutually decided to part tactics after having “a lot of discussions about it.” She additionally added the selection to see him (and Derek) pass “wasn't simple or a laugh.”

Catch new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy on Thursdays at Nine p.m. EST on ABC.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhfpa61vsicomaclaK9tLHYZqWorw%3D%3D