Patrick Dempsey – Derek Shepherd Then
Patrick Dempsey's Derek debuted in Grey's Anatomy as a married man, creating drama due to his complex past with Meredith. Their on-and-off relationship, including marriage and Derek's tragic death, was a key storyline.
After reconciling, Derek died in a car accident. In a dream sequence, he told Meredith to wake from her coma. Patrick wanted to leave the show, so the writers preserved his and Meredith's love by writing him out, making their romance timeless.
