10 TV Shows That Killed Off Their Biggest Stars
5. Patrick Dempsey - Grey's Anatomy
For a massive eleven seasons of the hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Derek Shepherd stole hearts and countless scenes thanks to some solid writing and the natural charm of actor Patrick Dempsey.
It was Shepherd's relationship with eponymous protagonist Meredith Grey that sat right at the core of the show, detailing their thrilling will-they-won't-they development.
Though many fans expected some kind of happy ending for the pair - whether together or otherwise - this hope was snuffed out when Shepherd was killed in season eleven in a major traffic accident.
At the time, the actor reportedly left the show due to his disagreements with showrunner Shonda Rhimes, but Dempsey would later tell reporters this wasn't the case, the decision was mutual, and he wanted to leave because it was both the "end of a chapter," and he wanted to spend more time with his family.
A tragic loss, but Grey's Anatomy is still going strong, with Dempsey even turning up for a brief recurring stint in the show's current seventeenth season.