"Grey's Anatomy" season 11 saw the controversial death of Dr. McDreamy himself, Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey. According to a new report from TVLine, ABC and series creator Shonda Rhimes are moving on and are now looking for a new male lead who may become the new love interest for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
According to the report, Shonda Rhimes & Co. are currently hunting for "a "name" actor in his late 30s to late 40s to portray the series-regular role of a doctor. Among the requirements of said performer: "He must be good-looking, charismatic and believable as a surgeon."
The report also cites Rhimes stating that the show is currently in "uncharted territories" now that they were moving forward without the main male lead in the series. "Grey's Anatomy" has always swapped out its cast, with the main cast right now mostly comprised of new faces, but season 12 is the first time Dempsey won't be present.
As of the original cast from season 1, only two of the six interns-turned-full-pledged-surgeons remain: Meredith Grey and Alex Karev. Miranda Bailey and Richard Webber are also still on the show while everyone else was introduced in later seasons.
It is possible that the studios are simply looking for a new surgeon to replace Patrick Dempsey's slot and are not intentionally looking for a new partner for Meredith Grey, but given how the show balances life at the operating table and in the surgeons' homes, it is practically a given that the new character will have a romantic flair with the now single Meredith.
Season 11 jumped roughly one year after the death of Dr. Derek Shepherd, a move which angered many fans who believed the character wasn't given a proper send-off, but this also means that within that one year, a new neurosurgeon may have taken Dr. Shepherd's old spot and this may be how he is introduced to Meredith now that she is back for work.
"Grey's Anatomy" season 12 is scheduled to premiere this fall.
