Patrick Dempsey Admits He Was ‘Very Happy’ After ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Departure, Says ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ Project ‘Reinvigorated’ Him

More than 6 months after Patrick Dempsey’s “Grey’s Anatomy” character, Dr. Derek Shepherd, was killed off in the medical drama, the actor-turned-race car driver has revealed that he has moved on to another chapter in his life.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor shared that leaving “Grey’s Anatomy” has allowed him to focus on a different goal which was racing. Dempsey described the summer’s racing season as “perfect” and that his transition out of the hit medical drama has made a “big difference” in his life. He shared, “It just showed me that you have to concentrate, and not spread everything so much.”

Dempsey, whose “Grey’s Anatomy” character was dubbed McDreamy, also told Entertainment Weekly that he was “very happy” to have moved forward to another stage in his life. He also recalled the fans’ reaction to his character’s death in the TV series. “I knew it would be heavy like that … People were really invested in that relationship,” he stated.

When Entertainment Tonight asked whether “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes was referring to him when she said during an appearance on Comedy Central that she kills off the characters of actors that she doesn’t like. Dempsey tactfully answered, “I think she loves being provocative and that’s fine for who she is. That gets people talking about all the stuff that she’s doing. She’s an amazing woman who is incredibly productive.”

He added, “I think she knows how to deal with the media and what she needs to say to get the response that she’s looking for. She’s very savvy.”

As for his new movie project “Bridget Jones’ Baby,” Dempsey revealed that the film has “completely reinvigorated” him. He also shared in his Entertainment Weekly some of the differences between doing a TV series versus a movie. He commented that movie projects follow a “completely different approach.”

“With the show, you’re just grinding it out to get through it,” he explained. “In this instance, you take the time to walk through things. I really love it.”

Meanwhile, Dempsey, along with his co-stars Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger, were recently spotted in London filming a scene for the upcoming movie “Bridget Jones’ Baby,” People magazine reported. Shots taken at the filming location showed Firth and Dempsey’s characters carrying a very pregnant Jones, played by Zellweger, into a hospital.

Although a few hints of what fans can expect from the movie has been revealed, most of the storyline remains a mystery including the identity of Jones’ baby.

“Bridget Jones’ Baby” will hit movie theaters on September 2016.