Patrick Dempsey, the actor famed for his role as the charming Dr. Derek Shepherd, often affectionately known as “McDreamy,” has finally shed light on his departure from the hugely popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Dempsey, a cornerstone of the show since its inception in 2005, exited the series in 2015 after a decade-long run, leaving fans in shock. Now, he’s candidly explained why he felt it was “time to walk away.”
The star, who was a beloved original cast member, portrayed Dr. Derek Shepherd until his exit in the eleventh season. Grey’s Anatomy, a US medical drama, captivated audiences by chronicling the intense lives of surgical interns and their supervisors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Speaking about his surprising exit on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show, Dempsey revealed his primary motivation: “It was time to walk away. I had the opportunity to do a full season in the WEC, which is the (FIA) World Endurance Championship. That was my love.” This passion for motorsport saw Dempsey transition from the operating theatre to the race track.
Following his departure from Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey immersed himself in the world of international sportscar racing, competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). His dedication paid off, as he achieved a first-place victory in a gruelling six-hour endurance race held in Japan.
Despite the immense success and global reach of Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey views his time on the show with gratitude. “For me, it’s been a blessing. It’s given me a wonderful platform,” he stated. He also highlighted a significant positive impact stemming from the drama: “I think the best thing that has come out of it is that a lot of young people have gone into the medical profession because of it – I think that’s a great thing.”
While Grey’s Anatomy enjoyed widespread popularity, Dempsey made a conscious effort to shield his children from its influence. He described his kids as “very direct” with their opinions and admitted, “I didn’t really expose them to the show. I kept them as far away as possible.” This approach aimed to maintain a sense of normalcy and prevent them from being overly influenced by his on-screen persona.
The immense popularity of the hit medical drama, however, proved invaluable to Dempsey’s philanthropic endeavours. He leveraged the show’s visibility to further his charitable work, most notably in establishing a cancer treatment centre in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine.
The Dempsey Centre, as detailed on its website, offers comprehensive, free holistic treatment to cancer patients. Their services encompass a wide range of support, including nutritional care, counselling, fitness classes, and various integrative therapies. Dempsey explained that the centre was deeply inspired by his mother’s personal battle with cancer. She endured “ovarian cancer over 12 recurrences.” The ethos of the centre is clear: “We don’t treat the disease, we treat the person holistically.” He reiterated how “the visibility of the show helped me do that.”
Explaining the centre’s philosophy further, Dempsey added, “You come out of surgery and your treatment, you may be cured but you’re not healed and that’s where we come in.” This sentiment underscores their commitment to patient well-being beyond immediate medical intervention.
In a more personal vein, Dempsey also touched upon being named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2023. He described the honour as “quite a shock” at his age, a testament to his enduring appeal.
The actor has built a career playing charismatic romantic leads, featuring in numerous romantic comedies such as Enchanted (2007), Made Of Honor (2008), and more recently, Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016).
Currently, Dempsey is starring in the new US crime drama Memory Of A Killer, where he portrays a character leading a complex double life as both a devoted family man and a professional hitman.
Viewers can catch The Jonathan Ross Show on Saturdays at 9:25 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
