Patrick Dempsey Almost Traded Grey's Anatomy For House, M.D.

Summary:

• Although he's now best known for playing Derek Shepherd, Patrick Dempsey's first audition for Grey's Anatomy wasn't all that great
• This led the actor to audition for the role of Gregory House in House, M.D. right after
• However, both shows only benefited from him not getting the role of House and returning to Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy, a medical drama TV series created by Shonda Rhimes, has been around for a long time, airing for an astounding 19 seasons from 2005 to the present, spawning several spin-offs in the process, and is still going strong, having recently been renewed for its twentieth season.

While the show has largely revolved around the titular Meredith Grey, portrayed for nearly two decades by Ellen Pompeo, it has also introduced viewers to a wide array of colorful characters, many of whom have become fan favorites over the course of the show's run.

Patrick Dempsey, who portrayed Derek Shepherd, has been a huge part of the show's long journey, appearing regularly for more than half of the seasons, with the role becoming the most recognizable of the actor's entire career.

Over the course of eleven seasons, Derek was a major character in the story and earned the love of countless fans who were heartbroken and absolutely devastated by his death.

Thankfully, that wasn't the last time we saw the character, as Dempsey reprised the role a few times in later seasons in cameo appearances.

However, the actor could have portrayed a drastically different doctor in another iconic medical drama TV series that was nothing like Grey's Anatomy.

Patrick Dempsey’s Grey’s Anatomy Audition Was a Flop (Or So He Thought)

It seems that after auditioning for the role of Derek Shepherd, Dempsey was absolutely sure that he failed because of the look Shonda Rhimes gave him and immediately decided to try his luck in another project.

At the time, the creators of the legendary medical drama series House, M.D. were looking for an actor to play the main character, and Dempsey was one of the candidates who auditioned for the role of Gregory House.

Shortly thereafter, he received a call and was invited to another Grey's Anatomy audition to read alongside Ellen Pompeo, as the show's creator was trying to figure out how to fit him into the series, despite the actor's initial concerns.

This proved to be a huge success, as the two actors immediately formed a great chemistry and connection with each other, making Dempsey's character an integral part of the series.

Both Shows Only Benefited From Dempsey Not Getting The Role Of House

As for House, M.D., the fact that he wasn't cast as the titular misanthropic doctor seems to have been for the best, as Hugh Laurie eventually won the role despite stiff competition, and went on to play House for the entire eight-season run of the show from 2004 to 2012.

Laurie's performance was phenomenal, as his immense talent was one of the reasons the show became so iconic, to the point where many people who haven't seen a single episode know who Dr. House is.

Given how different the characters of Derek Shepherd and Gregory House are, it is unlikely that Patrick Dempsey would have upstaged Hugh Laurie as the genius who hates people but saves lives.

And he doesn't really have two, as both characters are absolutely great in their own unique ways and, as mentioned above, Dempsey still managed to become inseparable from Grey's Anatomy for many fans despite leaving the show years ago.

The 20th season of the show will premiere on March 14, 2024.

Source: TV Guide