Patrick Dempsey Opens up about Moving On From ‘Greys Anatomy’ And Joining ‘Bridget Jone’s Baby’

Eight months after Dr. Derek Shepherd made his tragic, dramatic exit from ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, fans are still mourning the loss. But as for Patrick Dempsey, the man behind “McDreamy,” well, he’s doing just fine. After spending a summer of leisure (a.k.a racing with Porsche), Dempsey landed a highly coveted role in the next Bridget Jones movie, Bridget Jones’s Baby (out Sept. 16). Entertainment Weekly recently caught up with the actor to talk about new goals after Grey’s and what it was like saying goodbye to an eleven year stint as America’s hottest MD. “I didn’t realize until we did our interview that it was really over,” Dempsey tells the mag. “It started to dawn on me that this is coming to an end, which is why I think I was so moved by it. It was the first time I really stepped back and was starting to witness and to reflect on what had happened.”

Explaining that his time with Grey’s now feels “worlds away,” Dempsey said he’s excited about the career switch-up. When asked about the difference between doing a feature film and a TV show, Dempsey said he’s relishing the change of pace. “I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I think the pace of it is really good,” he said. “Getting back to something that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And it’s very collaborative and it’s organic in how it comes together, how it changes and evolves. It’s just a completely different approach. With the show, you’re just grinding it out to get through it. In this instance, you take the time to walk through things. I really love it.”