Let me tell you a story about two people who played husband and wife on TV but became family for life. Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh, two of the most beloved stars of Grey's Anatomy, recently showed us just how strong their bond remains. It all started when Patrick, now 54, left a sweet comment under a February 3 Instagram post by Kate, who is 52. He simply said, "Looking radiant my lady." Now, that might seem like a small gesture, but it sparked quite the reaction among Grey's Anatomy fans. A few hours later, Kate chimed in with her own heartfelt response: "Kitty, I LAVA u ❤️." This delightful exchange was first noticed by the sharp-eyed folks over at Comments by Celebs.
From TV Co-Stars to Lifelong Friends
Now, let’s rewind a bit and dive into the world of Grey’s Anatomy. For those who might not know, Patrick played the dashing neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd, while Kate portrayed the talented neonatal surgeon Dr. Addison Montgomery. Their characters were introduced in season one back in 2005, and although their marriage was rocky from the start, they decided to give it another shot. But as we all know, their relationship didn't last. Derek eventually found love with Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and Addison moved on to her own spinoff series, Private Practice, which ran successfully for six seasons, from 2007 to 2013. Though Addison is still out there somewhere in the Grey’s Anatomy universe, Derek met his untimely demise in season 11 in 2015.
The Legacy of Grey’s Anatomy
Back when Kate first joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, she probably wouldn’t have believed you if you told her the show would still be thriving today, with season 16 airing and counting. But here we are, and Kate has some insights into why the series has become such a monumental success. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly back in August 2019, Kate opened up about the longevity of the show, expressing her amazement at its incredible run. "Everybody hopes their show is successful, but no one would have ever anticipated that kind of success," she said. "That kind of run, it’s crazy! It’s amazing."
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She went on to credit creator Shonda Rhimes for crafting such compelling characters. "There’s also a consistent setting, a hospital, and it’s always going to be drama," Kate explained. "Even with the massive amount of content and different streaming services, there’s a beauty in the simplicity and the coziness of being able to tune in every Thursday night and see your people you’ve grown attached to over a decade — or more, in this case." She added, "There’s a certain love, it’s like a little long-term relationship. People love those characters. I love them still. There’s a great love and connection and loyalty to them."
Fans' Hope for an Onscreen Reunion
As much as we love the nostalgia of Patrick and Kate's real-life friendship, fans everywhere are holding out hope for an onscreen reunion. Until that day comes, we’ll continue to binge-watch old episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and dream of the possibility. After all, who wouldn’t want to see Derek and Addison back together, even if just for one episode?
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
