Grey's Anatomy
There will be another reunion with Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd in "Grey's Anatomy".
© imago images / Everett Collection
Two is Better! Grey's Anatomy fans can look forward to a second unexpected reunion with Patrick Dempsey in season 17.
The 17th season of "Grey's Anatomy" had a special surprise in store for the fans right from the start: Patrick Dempsey (54, "Freedom Writers") returned in his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd back. If only in a dream sequence. Main character Dr. Meredith Gray, played by Ellen Pompeo (51) since season one, lost consciousness due to Covid-19 disease and met him in a picturesque setting on the beach. The last reunion with "McDreamy" will obviously not stay that way.
Producer and showrunner Krista Vernoff (46) confirmed to the US industry portal "Variety": "You will see 'McDreamy' again in the second half of the season." Vernoff did not reveal what episode or even consequences it was exactly.
Is Patrick Dempsey just the beginning?
Dempsey's role died a serial death in season eleven (2015) after a car accident. Not only was he Dr. Meredith Gray has appeared in her dreams since then. In the fourth episode of the new season, T.R. Knight (47) aka George O'Malley on her dream beach. Her former colleague died in the fifth season (2009) in a traffic accident.
Whether he and other eliminated series stars will also return to the series is a well-kept secret so far. Vernoff said, however, that she hopes to be able to recruit more crew members from previous seasons.
The 17th season "Grey's Anatomy" can be seen in the USA since mid-November 2020 on the US broadcaster ABC. In Germany, season 16 celebrated its free TV premiere on ProSieben at the same time. Season 17 should start in the spring of 2021 in this country, but there is no official start date yet.