'Grey's Anatomy' Season 12 Casting News, Update: Shonda Rhimes on the Lookout for A 'New Male Lead'
Fans may still be reeling over the death of Patrick Dempsey's beloved character Derek Shepherd who, towards the end of Season 11 of the hit TV drama series "Grey's Anatomy," was involved in an accident and succumbed to some complications.
Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) was seen dealing with the tragic loss. She was, nonetheless, shown to have moved on with her life together with their child.
However, the question still remains as to how the show would go on without its lead character.
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The answer arrived this week in a report from TV Line who said that ABC is currently "looking to add a major new male presence" in the upcoming 12th season of the medical drama.
According to the media outlet, executive producer Shonda Rhimes together and the rest of the production team are "searching for a 'name' actor" who is in his "late 30s to late 40s to portray the series-regular role of a doctor."
The actor in question must be "good-looking, charismatic, and believable as a surgeon."
Fans were quick to speculate if this new character will be Mer's new love interest in the new installment. Rhimes hinted back in April that "the entire Grey's Anatomy family" is now entering into an "uncharted territory" of post-Derek era. This clearly suggests that "the possibilities for what may come are endless."
"As Ellis Grey [Kate Burton] would say: the carousel never stops turning," Rhimes added.
Fans will also find out about April's (Sarah Drew) decision regarding her relationship with Jackson (Jesse Williams), whether or not they continue with their marriage in the next season.
"I don't see it as a total breakup, I see it as they're definitely in a really, really rough situation. I don't think that it's the nail on the coffin for them. He says if you go, we're done, but April still has to make a choice, so that's where—I guess—we'll pick up next season, but [Shonda Rhimes] could make a different choice," Drew previously told Entertainment Weekly.
"Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 is slated to premiere this fall on ABC.
