Katherine Heigl Can’t Imagine ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Without ‘McDreamy’

A recent interview caught Katherine Heigl revealing her own feelings about Patrick Dempsey’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy, according to Us Weekly. Heigl, formerly filling the role of Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy, was promoting her latest project, Jackie & Ryan, an indie drama from writer/director Ami Canaan Mann, when the discussion turned to that Grey’s Anatomy casting change.

“I just can’t even imagine the show without McDreamy,” Katherine said. “I just can’t! It’s so hard to picture.”

Derek Shepherd was killed off last April, after the announcement that Partick Dempsey would be leaving Grey’s Anatomy. Conversely, Katherine Heigl was written off, following highly publicized complaints from the actress regarding her role on the series. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will remember that Heigl had declined to have her name entered on an Emmy nomination ballot because she felt her Grey’s Anatomy character wasn’t “given the material… to warrant a nomination.”

Regardless, there have been rumors that Heigl has been planning a return in Grey’s Anatomy‘s upcoming season, something fans of Grey’s Anatomy would certainly like to see happen. Katherine warns fans not to get their hopes up, however.

“There’s not. I’m sorry,” Ms. Heigl said of the chance she might return next season.

Is the former Grey’s Anatomy star open to returning in the future?

“I think that’s — I don’t know how to answer that,” Katherine said with a laugh.

While Ms. Heigl did publicly criticize the creative team behind Grey’s Anatomy for her perceived lack of material, she seems to have softened her opinion of the show in retrospect. Katherine now remembers the experience more fondly.

“[It] was just an incredible experience for me. It changed the course of my life and career and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Ms. Heigl said of her six years on Grey’s Anatomy. “I just hope it goes for as long as they all want it to.”

The improved outlook for Ms. Heigl came after meeting a young fan of Grey’s Anatomy. Katherine seemed taken aback upon realizing how much time had passed since her first days on the set of the series.

“This 13-year-old girl was telling me this weekend how much she loves Grey’s Anatomy, and I was like, do you realize you were a 1-year-old when we started the show? It’s been that long since it’s been on the air,” Heigl recalled.

Jackie & Ryan, starring Katherine Heigl with Ben Barnes and Clea DuVall, will hit theaters on July 3.

[Featured image: Katherine Heigl courtesy of Jason Merritt/Getty Images]