Actor Patrick Dempsey says he was done with "Grey's Anatomy" and should have left the series way back.
The 50-year-old actor played Dr Derek Shepherd for 11 seasons on the Shonda Rhimes drama, reported People magazine.
"It had been long enough. It was time for me to move on with other things and other interests. I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier. I stayed a bit longer than I should have.
"I'm very grateful for 'Grey's Anatomy'. It's given me the opportunity to do everything. But at the same time, there was a cost," Dempsey said.
The actor said his commitment to the show took a toll on his relationship with his wife Jillian and their three children.
"I think after a certain period of time, no matter how much money you make, you want control out of your own schedule."
Dempsey reveals that he had discussion with series creator Rhimes about his exit, but his character's departure was kept a secret.
"It was clear we were both ready. But we kept it very quiet," he recalls, adding, "I knew he was going to be gone, but I didn't know how she was going to handle it. Shonda just said, 'I'm going to do it in a really good way' and she did her thing.
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