'I'm still processing it': Patrick Dempsey has not fathomed Grey's Anatomy twist... but did 'diva' behaviour and 'clashing with Shonda Rhimes' prove to be ultimate undoing?
Viewers were shocked by his character's surprise death on Thursday night's episode of Grey's Anatomy.
And Patrick Dempsey hasn't quite gotten over it himself.
The 49-year-old star discussed the departure of beloved fan-favourite character Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka McDreamy, which came as a shock as he had signed a two year contract extension just last year.
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'It just sort of evolved': Patrick Dempsey seemed to have a bit of trouble coping with the death of his Grey's Anatomy character as he spoke to Entertainment Weekly on Thursday
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on Thursday, the actor tried to explain how the bold move could have been made when he had just re-upped his contract as he said: 'It just sort of evolved. 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 also shed a little more light on how rapidly the process happened as he said: 'Things happened very quickly, where we were like, “Oh this is where it’s going to go.”
Fade to Grey: The 49-year-old actor left the programme for good after being killed off in a car crash in Thursday night's episode
'It just sort of unfolded in a very organic way. I don’t remember the date. It was not in the fall. Maybe February or March. It happened very quickly.'
Though he maintains he was not surprised that he was written off the show, he did admit that he has not quite fathomed the outcome just yet.
When asked if he cried during his last day on set he replied: 'No. I’m still processing it. This is part of the mourning process, the post Grey's experience.'
On Friday, Patrick took to his Twitter to give thanks to his 969K followers on Twitter as he wrote: 'I want to thank all the fans, what an incredible 11 yrs, I love you all.'
Don't mess with her! According to Page Six, the actor's 'diva' behaviour and infuriated Shonda Rhimes and resulted in 'clashes' with the showrunner
Perhaps the writing was already on the wall as aPage Six report on Monday claims that his 'diva' behaviour on set of the ABC programme had infuriated showrunner Shonda Rhimes.
The source said: 'Patrick has been acting like a diva and has clashed with Shonda. She suspended him for a while, and the word on set is that he isn’t coming back full time.'
There is seemingly very little patience for any star acting up on set as Isaiah Washington and Katherine Heigl previously saw their departures reportedly after separate instances having to do with differences involving the cast and writing.
The expendables: Other main cast who've reportedly had their differences on set include Katherine Heigl and Isaiah Washington, both of whom had to find new jobs shortly afterward
Their insider added: 'Given all the past problems with Isaiah Washington and Katherine Heigl, there is little tolerance on the show for troublesome talent.'
Regardless of whatever personal matters there may have been, the death of McDreamy ultimately did aid Shonda in the ratings, however, as The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the programme earned a 2.8 rating among adults 18-49 on Thursday evening.
It was a seven-month high, rising seven-tenths of a point, as details of Patrick's untimely departure leaked online before the episode was aired.
Cuts and bruises: Patrick's character Dr. Derek Shepherd is shown after an accident but is conscious of his surroundings even on the gurney on Thursday's dramatic episode of the ABC show
Last goodbye: A teary-eyed Meredith prepares for her husband's last breath as she becomes a single mother
Dramatic scenes: Dempsey's 'McDreamy' is seen in his dying moments
Taking out the breathing tube: Grey gives consent to pull the life support
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