Shonda Rhimes: 'Grey's Anatomy' Patrick Dempsey Death Had to Happen

Shonda Rhimes shocked the Grey's Anatomy world when she killed main character Derek Shepherd during Season 11 of the ABC medical series. The death sparked rumors and reports of behind the scenes drama saying that actor Patrick Dempsey was killed off because there was drama on the set. However, it looks like Rhimes is clearing the air saying that she felt that the only way to keep the bond between Meredith Grey and Derek untainted was for him to die.

According to Us Weekly, the show's creator opened up about the tragic death during a panel for the Television Critics Association summer press tour, and explained her reasoning behind killing off the major character.

"What were the options? Either Der was going to walk out on Mer and leave her high and dry, and what was that going to mean?" the show runner explained during the TCA panel. "That would suggest the love wasn't true, the thing we had said for 11 years was a lie. Meredith and Derek's love had to remain Meredith and Derek's love.

"As painful as it was for me as a storyteller, the only way to preserve what felt true to me was Derek was going to have to die for that love to remain honest," the star explained to Huffington Post.

As for what the theme of Grey's Anatomy season 12, fans will be seeing a much "lighter" side (THANK GOSH) in the coming episodes.

"There's a much sort of lighter tone this year that we're going for," Shonda explained, according to E! News.