'Grey's Anatomy': Patrick Dempsey on Contracts...

Everyone's been wondering just what's going on over at Grey's Anatomy in terms of contracts, specifically for Patrick Dempsey, who plays McDreamy himself, Derek Shepherd. Will he be back after next season? Is season 8 his last? How will the Mer-Der relationship play a role?

Dempsey talked to TVGuide about his future on the show, and he said, "It's not in my court - it's up to ABC and [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes if she wants to continue. I would love to have a discussion as to where I would like to go." It's hard to imagine the series without McDreamy, but with the possibility of him not being the only original character to go after Grey's Anatomy season 8, there are plenty of others who could step up to take the lead, especially with the newer characters introduced over the last few seasons.

Dempsey also talked about what he sees for his character's relationship with Meredith after the events of the season finale: "I think there's a lot more room for them to develop as adults instead of being stuck in this adolescent dynamic. ... It's going to be incredibly hard for them to get back together, because she's really betrayed him on a personal and professional level." He had put together that trial because of Meredith, and though she did what she did to help Adele, that was still a betrayal, and it wasn't a surprise that the season ended with them apart. They did seem to be the most stable couple last season up until that betrayal, so there was of course going to be some drama on the way. Will they be apart for most or all of next season? They are technically parents together now, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out for the two, whether they get back together or not. It will also be telling to see how the story lines are affected by the possibility that Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo could be leaving at the end of the season.

Comments: 3

Andrea Buginsky Jun 15, 2011, 2:03am UTC

I hope neither of them are leaving, and I can't imagine the show surviving without them, especially Pompeo. After all, she's the "Grey" in "Grey's Anatomy".

reply to this comment

Ange W. Sep 22, 2011, 12:14pm UTC

I agree, the show will be jumping the shark when they leave. They have made their relationship these past 2 seasons dormant once they had a relationship going, they rarely focus on them anymore. So i hope this season focuses on them more.

reply to this comment

Ange W. Sep 22, 2011, 12:15pm UTC

oh I also heard a season ago, of a rumor that if they do go, that they will focus on Lexi Grey, I hope this is false. While lexi is great, Meredith is just so much better and Ellen plays her so well!

reply to this comment

'Grey's Anatomy': Patrick Dempsey on Contracts and Meredith and Derek's Relationship

Comments: 3

Join the Conversation