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McDreamyMcNightmareGreysAnatomy.jpg

Was 'Grey's Anatomy''s McDreamy Really a McNightmare?

By Genevieve Burgess | TV | September 20, 2021 |

By Genevieve Burgess | TV | September 20, 2021 |


McDreamyMcNightmareGreysAnatomy.jpg

Like any long-running series, Grey’s Anatomy has had moments when the stories from behind the scenes eclipse what’s happening on the show. Some of the drama from early seasons is still being relitigated on social media, but there’s a new tell-all book coming out soon that may unveil even more drama behind the drama.

According to a write-up in The Daily Beast, the book How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy by Lynette Rice alleges that Patrick Dempsey’s exit from the show was the result of copious complaints, clashes with other staff members, and finally an ultimatum from Rhimes herself.

None of these rumors are particularly surprising; it’s amazing if a big star can get out of a network drama WITHOUT being accused of “diva-like” behavior. Frankly, things couldn’t have ended THAT poorly if Dempsey came back to feature in Meredith’s COVID dreams last year. However, that this is coming out now leads me to lean a little more into my suspicion that Grey’s Anatomy may be getting ready to end sooner rather than later. Sure, there are some people willing to speak “off the record” or on deep background while a show is still successful, but there’s a level of risk there for their future employment. Leaks can be traced. If people involved in the show think that the production is ending in the next year or so, then there’s much less of a risk that someone will put together who the sources are for these stories. Even if they are found out, they’re only out a few months of work anyway.

This is a far cry from definite confirmation that season 19 will be the final season, but it’s still something I suspect is coming. But hey, maybe the producers will prefer that nice, round number of 20. Grey’s Anatomy returns for their 19th season on September 30th! And I’m totally going to get that book.