[Warning: The following article contains a major spoiler of the TV show Grey’s Anatomy]

In an ugly twist of fate, Dr. Derek Shepherd M.D. of Grey’s Anatomy met with a cruel end in the show earlier this week.

Many hearts were left broken and people wondered why show creator Shonda Rhimes wanted to compete with author George R. R. Martin. Martin is infamous for getting people attached to characters in the TV Show Game of Thrones and then getting them killed in his scripts in the most brutal manner.

Patrick Dempsey, who played the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd (also referred to as McDreamy) for 11 years, spoke with Entertainment Weekly after wrapping up his final episode.

Dempsey said it all happened “very quickly” and “there wasn’t a lot of discussion” about the death of his character.

Dempsey, who became quite the heartthrob right after being introduced in the show, admits to the crazy attention he gets from women now.

…because you go from trying to get in a room to audition for something to suddenly everybody in the world knowing you, no matter where you go. And it happened within a 30-day period.

A question asking him to describe what it was like to work with fellow star Ellen Pompeo, who plays the protagonist, Dr. Meredith Grey, brought tears to Dempsey’s eyes.

It was magic. It’s beautiful. We’re like a married couple. It’s 10 years, and it was magic from the beginning. Chemistry right away.

Dempsey knew that Dr. Shepherd’s death will be shocking for the fans, but he also felt it would be “powerful”.

It’s really going to be powerful. But life is like that. I think any time an original cast member has left, there’s always a void that will never be filled. Shepherd is a beloved character. People don’t want to lose him. He’s been in their lives for over 10 years. But it goes on, and it will evolve.

You can read Patrick Dempsey’s interview here.