Patrick Dempsey Explains Why He Left Grey's Anatomy When He Did 

Grey’s Anatomy: A ‘Reinvigorated’ Patrick Dempsey Weighs In on Ex-Boss Shonda Rhimes’ ‘Provocative’ Reveal About Killing Off a Disliked Actor

“It had been long enough,” McDreamy’s onetime portrayer tells People.com. “It was time for me to move on with other things and other interests. I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier. I stayed a bit longer than I should have.”

As Dempsey muses, “I think after a certain period of time, no matter how much money you make, you want control out of your own schedule.”

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come for him to walk away from the ABC drama in April 2015 (at the end of Season 11), Dempsey says series creator Shonda Rhimes did not block the exit. “It was clear we were both ready,” he offers.

Regarding Rhimes’ decision to kill Derek off by way of a spectacular car crash, Dempsey — whose first major post-

, opens Sept. 16 — says, “I thought it was really interesting. It definitely woke people up. And it was beautifully symbolic in many ways.”

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How was it symbolic??? I know that was the only possible exit because Derek leaving town or getting a divorce would have been worse and not consistent at all with the story but it was very violent and sudden. In 2 episodes he was gone for good. I still watch the show and I think they dealt with his exit pretty well but it is definitely not the same show anymore.

I didn’t get how it was symbolic either. I guess it was symbolic since he was a surgeon and saved people’s lives, yet when it was his turn no one could save him.

I agree. I also think the show did a lot better at handling his exit than Lexi’s. The ridiculousness of that plane crash episode still remains a black mark on what has otherwise been a good show for me.

Never understood why so much drama if it was his decision to leave. From the outrage you’d think Rhimes let him go.

It isn’t that they killed him off, it’s the way he was killed off that still pisses me off. Absolute insult to the character, story, actors, and fan base.

Meredith was actually watchable last season. No McDreamy in her life looks good on her.

I love how this story breaks just weeks before season 13 starts . Funny timing. I think Shonda forced Patrick out of the show by killing his character in such a dumb way. I haven’t forgiven her yet.

Dear Lord, not this again… We’ve moved onwards and upwards. It’s been a hell of a ride, 11 years but it’s done and dusted so please, no more and stay McGone. Thank you.

He wanted “control of his own schedule” Ummm, yeah…unless you’re the boss, you report to someone. I hope I’m taking this the wrong way, otherwise he comes off like a spoiled brat.

Nope. He comes off like a spoiled brat. I have that complaint about Dempsey often, in fact.

Hello every one, here every person is sharing these kinds of experience, thus it’s pleasant to read this

I would have preferred he took the job in DC and popped in a few episodes per season than having him die and not come back at all.

Don’t watch GA, but always thought PD bought into his own hype. How appropriate he uses GA angle and the ‘I should’ve left sooner because I’m above this tripe’ to promote his next project. What a little man not to acknowledge that GA took him from a nobody and made him known internationally.

I would love to hear his opinion on leaving when and if his movie bombs.

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