Patrick Dempsey Talks 'Grey's Anatomy' Departure & Makes It Clear He's On To Bigger Things

Patrick Dempsey doesn't seem to miss Derek Shepherd as much as I do, and as much as Grey's Anatomy fans do. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, he talks at length about 2015, including Dempsey's Grey's Anatomy departure, and his shift of focus to making movies instead. The line in question which makes me think that Dempsey doesn't miss Grey's Anatomy is when he says, "With the show, you’re just grinding it out to get through it." As a hardcore Grey's Anatomy fan, I was immediately hurt by the line. There is no way to spin "grinding it out" which makes it a positive sentence, after all. So, what's the deal, Dempsey? Why aren't you treating Derek Shepherd like the national icon that he is?!

Dempsey's first role post Grey's Anatomy is, of course, in upcoming movie Bridget Jones's Baby, his part in which is the subject of much speculation. Since he's replaced Hugh Grant as the film's antagonist, it seems likely that he will play one of Bridget Jones's love interests (he is McDreamy after all). Entertainment Weekly reports that Dempsey's role is that of "billionaire entrepreneur Jack Qwant", which certainly sounds fancy. The actor is obviously incredibly excited to be starring in the film, saying, "Oh, it’s completely reinvigorated me. 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."

He makes it clear that, for him, a change was long overdue, and leaving behind Grey's Anatomy (sob!) was what needed to happen. Dempsey says, "Very happy to have moved on with a different chapter in my life." OK, we get it! He didn't want to be Derek Shepherd anymore! And that's certainly a fair way for him to feel considering how long he's been working on the show; doing the same thing, and the same role, for years on end can get exhausting after a while. It's only natural. But that doesn't make me miss Derek any less, or wish that Dempsey didn't sound quite so happy to be moving on to other projects.

I love the first two Bridget Jones movies, and Dempsey certainly seems like a great replacement for Hugh Grant. He's sure to bring a completely new chemistry and vibe to the movie, especially as he's in a love triangle with Colin Firth and Renée Zellweger. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly of Dempsey's character in Bridget Jones's Baby , Firth said, "This guy Jack seems to be more of the charming good guy, and in some ways that's scarier." This tension is sure to make for a great story, and update the series completely.

I'm excited for Bridget Jones's Baby, no question. I just have to find a way to deal with the fact that Dempsey doesn't miss Derek Shepherd as much as I do.