‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Creator Shonda Rhimes Dishes on Killing Off McDreamy — Plus See the Show’s Cast Then and Now!

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Aug 5, 2015 2:04 pm·

By Julia Birkinbine

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It’s been more than three months since Dr. Derek Shepherd was tragically killed off Grey’s Anatomy — and fans are still mourning the loss of the show’s leading man.

During the Television Critics Association’s press tour on Tuesday, Aug. 4, the series’ creator Shonda Rhimes, 45, opened up about her agonizing decision to kill off Derek on Grey’s 11th season.

Patrick as Derek and Shonda (inset) at the TCA panel on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

“The decision to have the character die the way he did was not a difficult one in the sense of what were the options,” she said of Patrick Dempsey‘s character perishing in a car crash.

“Whether Derek was going to walk out on Meredith and leave her high and dry, that was going to suggest that the love was not true, that the love they had for 11 years was a lie and McDreamy wasn’t McDreamy,” she continued. “As painful as it was for me as a storyteller, the only way to preserve what felt true to me is that Derek was going to die in order for that love to remain honest.”

Want even more Grey’s? Click through the gallery below to see the show’s cast then and now!

1 of 19

Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey)

Ellen — who received a Golden Globe nomination in 2007 for her portrayal of Meredith — continues to appear on the show today. The mom-of-three's notable film credits include Moonlight Mile, Old School, Daredevil, and Catch Me If You Can.

2 of 19

Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd)

In addition to his lead role on Grey's, the actor is most recognized for appearing in movies Can't Buy Me Love, Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

3 of 19

Justin Chambers (Alex Karev)

Justin is one of few original cast members to still be on the show after more than 10 years. Though he is most recognized for playing Dr. Karev, he has also starred in movies Broken City, The Zodiac, and The Wedding Planner.

4 of 19

Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang)

The Golden Globe winner left Grey's in 2014 after appearing on 220 episodes. She recently appeared in the comedy Tammy and guest-starred on the TV show Betas.

5 of 19

Katherine Heigl (Izzie Stevens)

Since her run on Grey's came to an end in 2010, Katherine landed leading roles in movies Life as We Know It, New Year's Eve, and The Big Wedding. The mom-of-three — who is married to musician Josh Kelley — was starring on the NBC drama State of Affairs, but the show was recently canceled.

6 of 19

T.R. Knight (George O'Malley)

Though he has appeared in several TV shows and movies, T.R. is most known for his performances on Broadway. The actor is now starring in the show, It's Only a Play.

7 of 19

Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt)

After portraying Owen, Kevin appeared in the TV special Toy Story That Time Forgot. He has also voiced characters in Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty video games.

8 of 19

Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey)

The mom-of-three's film credits include Philadelphia, Lone Star, and A Single Woman. In addition to Grey's, the star has also appeared on TV shows The Cosby Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Sopranos, among others.

9 of 19

James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber)

James is widely known for playing Dr. Webber on Grey's and Deputy Director Alvin Kersh on The X-Files. He has been awarded a SAG Award for his performance on the medical drama, which he continues to star on today.

10 of 19

Isaiah Washington (Preston Burke)

After he left the show in 2007, the actor joined the cast of The 100. The father-of-three has also recently appeared in movies Blue Caprice, Doctor Bello, and Blackbird.

11 of 19

Kate Walsh (Addison Montgomery)

After Grey's, Kate starred on her own spin-off show, Private Practice from 2007 until 2013. In 2014, she landed a lead role on the comedy, Bad Judge, but it was canceled after only a few seasons.

12 of 19

Eric Dane (Mark Sloan)

Eric — who is married to actress Rebecca Gayheart — is known for his movie roles in Marley & Me, Valentine's Day, and Burlesque. He left Grey's in 2012 and now stars on The Last Ship.

13 of 19

Sara Ramirez (Callie Torres)

In addition to her starring role on Grey's, Sara has also acted on Broadway and won a Tony Award for her performance in 2005's Spamalot. She left the show in 2016.

14 of 19

Brooke Smith (Erica Hahn)

The actress' most memorable performance was in the 1991 horror film The Silence of the Lambs. After leaving the medical drama after 25 episodes in 2008, Brooke guest starred on Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and American Horror Story: Asylum.

15 of 19

Chyler Leigh (Lexie Grey)

Chyler — who has also starred in Not Another Teen Movie — left the show in 2012 and is now a cast member on Taxi Brooklyn.

16 of 19

Jessica Capshaw (Arizona Robbins)

In addition to Grey's, Jessica is known for playing Jamie Stringer on The Practice and for guest starring on Bones and The L Word.

17 of 19

Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery)

In addition to Grey's, the star's acting credits include Lee Daniels' The Butler, The Cabin in the Woods, Brooklyn's Finest, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

18 of 19

Caterina Scorsone (Amelia Shepherd)

In addition to Grey's, the actress is best known for starring on the Lifetime crime drama series Missing and Private Practice.

19 of 19

The End!

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