NOTE: Spoilers for Grey's Anatomy's latest episode to air in America
Ellen Pompeo took to her Twitter yesterday to address fans of Grey's Anatomy who were distraught at the loss of one of the show's signature characters - McDreamy himself, Dr. Derek Shepherd.
Patrick Dempsey has been with the show since its start over 10 years ago, and many of his scenes have been alongside Meredith Grey - played by Pompeo.
Writing on her iPhone notes section and then uploading a screenshot to Twitter, she says: "I have always said what keeps me going is the fans. Knowing we move you and inspire you. There are so many people out there who have suffered tremendous loss and tragedy. Husbands and wives of soldiers, victims of senseless violence and parents who have lost children. People who get up each day and do what feels like is the impossible. So it it (sic) for these people and in the spirit of resilance (sic) I am honored and excited to tell the story of how Meredith goes on in the face of what feels like the impossible. I hope you will all join me on her journey.
"With gratitude and respect, Ellen."
Meanwhile, creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes had previously released the following statement to Entertainment Weekly: "Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character-for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our 'McDreamy.' Patrick Dempsey's performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example-happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true-of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey's Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: the carousel never stops turning."
Dempsey himself also had a few words to say about his departure, saying that there "wasn't a lot of discussion" around it and it came about "very quickly".
"It was just a natural progression, and the way everything was unfolding in a very organic way, it was like, okay! This was obviously the right time. And then it was a question of... That's a question for Shonda."
Tagged in Grey's Anatomy