Patrick Dempsey addresses claims from Shonda Rhimes that she killed off at least one her characters because she didn't like the actor.
In a new interview, Patrick Dempsey addresses claims from his former boss Shonda Rhimes that she killed off at least one of her beloved characters because she didn't like the actor.
Rhimes' vague admission came during a November appearance on Larry Wilmore's Comedy Central show The Nightly Show. While she didn't name any names, Dempsey was one of the more notable deaths from Rhimes' TV shows, which includes Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder.
WATCH: Shonda Rhimes Killed a Character Because She Didn't Like the Actor
When asked if he thought Rhimes was referring to him, Dempsey answered tactfully.
"I think she loves being provocative and that's fine for who she is," Dempsey told Entertainment Weekly. "That gets people talking about all the stuff that she's doing. She's an amazing woman who is incredibly productive. She's promoting a book. She's promoting three shows. And she's emerging as the star of all of these things. I think she knows how to deal with the media and what she needs to say to get the response that she's looking for. She's very savvy."
As the executive producer of Grey's, Scandal, Private Practice and Murder, Rhimes has had to say goodbye to several characters in sometimes tragic ways. While many fans didn't seem ready to let go of McDreamy, Dempsey welcomes the change and is grateful to be in a new movie, Bridget Jones's Baby.
PHOTOS: 7 Most Devastating TV Deaths
"Oh, it's completely reinvigorated me," Dempsey said of jumping into a movie after years in television. "I've enjoyed it immensely. I think the pace of it is really good. Getting back to something that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And it's very collaborative and it's organic in how it comes together, how it changes and evolves. It's just a completely different approach. With the show, you're just grinding it out to get through it. In this instance, you take the time to walk through things. I really love it."