While fans of Patrick Dempsey outraged about his sudden death in Grey's Anatomy Season 11, maybe ABC and executive producer/creator Shonda Rhimes might be dancing in joy already. Dempsey's role as surgeon in Grey's Anatomy was reportedly earns about $US400,000 per episode. So, a 24-episode season ABC network would be paying Dempsey about $US9.6 million.
Despite the petition of fans to bring back McDreamy, Rhimes had already made up her mind: there is no coming back from the dead for Derek Shepherd. Why was Dempsey killed too soon? Aside from saving Rhonda Rhimes' bank balance a chunk of money, rumor has it that it was because of Dempsey and Rhimes' behind the set problems.
In recent months Patrick Dempsey had been vocal about leaving the popular medical drama, Ellen Pompeo also spoke about her partner's exit, a few details emerged about agreement with ABC Studios. He had signed a two-season contract (seasons 11 and 12; if the show gets renewed) but was already cut off, and this surprised him, though in Sundance TV he already has a drama in the works.
Speaking of departures, many lead stars already left off or is leaving some famous TV series which makes it a trend now. After Josh Charles' exit in The Good Wife's, Archie Panjabi also went out the door this season to star in a drama pilot. CW's The Vampire Diaries will also be losing its lead star Nina Dobrev who announced that her contract is only up at the end of season 6, making the Warner Bros. Television-produced series come back with a season 7 without a leading lady.
Now that Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd is finally resting in peace, Grey's Anatomy absolutely won't be the same show again. Whatever the reason behind his disappearance is, one thing is for sure and that is, such decision is a win-win for ABC, at least financially speaking.
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