Social media posts claiming Patrick Dempsey will return to Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 for seven episodes are false. No official announcement from ABC, Disney+, or the show’s production team confirms the actor’s involvement in the current season. The rumor circulated on Facebook, with posts suggesting Derek Shepherd would return, possibly connected to an Alzheimer’s storyline.
Dempsey’s character, Derek Shepherd, died after he met with a fatal car accident in Season 11, Episode 21. Ever since, the character has only appeared in ethereal form, guiding Meredith Grey through the tragedy. Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy recently returned with Season 22, which premiered on ABC on October 9, 2025.
Patrick Dempsey’s Current Fox Project Contradicts Season 22 Rumors
Patrick Dempsey’s filming schedule directly contradicts claims of a Grey’s Anatomy return. Fox officially ordered the drama series Memory of a Killer via Collider, with Dempsey cast as lead character Angelo Ledda, a hitman with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Production began in August 2025 and is scheduled to wrap in December 2025, as per The Dempsey Hub. This is Dempsey’s first broadcast television lead role since leaving Grey’s Anatomy in 2015 after 11 seasons.
The false social media posts specifically claim:
Yes, it’s true! Derek Shepherd is returning to Grey’s Anatomy for Season 22, with Patrick Dempsey set to appear in at least seven episodes! While details are still under wraps, there’s speculation that his return may tie into Meredith’s journey — possibly even something connected to early-onset Alzheimer’s.
This statement above contains no verifiable sources and conflicts with Dempsey’s confirmed work obligations.
The reference to seven episodes likely stems from confusion with Ellen Pompeo’s Season 22 commitment. Pompeo appears in approximately seven episodes this season while continuing to narrate, a detail reported by Variety.
The returning cast includes Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Kevin McKidd, Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, Kim Raver, Chris Carmack, Anthony Hill, Jason George, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Niko Terho, and Trevor Jackson. Patrick Dempsey is not included in official network communications or casting announcements.
10 years since Derek Shepherd’s death on Grey’s Anatomy.pic.twitter.com/pqVyZHCiwx
— out of context merder (@merderftdempeo) April 23, 2025
Derek Shepherd died in Season 11, Episode 21, which aired April 23, 2015. The character was hit by a semi-truck after stopping to help car crash victims and was declared brain dead after a hospital failed to order a timely CT scan. Dempsey returned briefly in Season 17 in 2020 and 2021, appearing in episodes 2, 3, and 8 during Meredith’s COVID-19 dream sequences on a beach. In April 2021, Dempsey called the return a beautiful way to close it, while saying ‘Never say never’ to the show.
What Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Is Really About?
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 premiered on October 9, 2025, with 2.573 million viewers and a 0.29 rating. The season continues from a hospital explosion cliffhanger that ended Season 21. Monica Beltran, played by Natalie Morales, was killed in the premiere, marking the first major character death of the season. Showrunner Meg Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter that the team made that choice to explore themes of grief and loss throughout the season.
One of the real-world themes that has come into this season is the theme of hope. No matter where you stand on anything, things have been happening one after the other, and in particular, that’s what we felt this summer. We thought, “How can we write our feelings out in this season of television?” And that is through the theme of hope. Who gives you hope; who helps you find it after you’ve lost it; what gives you hope; and, how can you be hope for somebody else? How do we rise from what happened?
The main storylines focus on hospital renovation efforts following the explosion damage. Chris Carmack’s character Link survived, but he suffered serious injuries that require a long recovery. Episode 2, which aired October 16, 2025, featured Kelly McCreary’s return as Maggie Pierce with a surprise pregnancy reveal. The series reached its milestone 450th episode on the same date.
Caterina Scorsone, who plays Amelia Shepherd, is taking an extended break this season. She will appear in only 10 of 18 episodes due to scheduling considerations (via Deadline). Trevor Jackson was promoted to series regular as surgical resident Wes, while Jade Pettyjohn and Anita Kalathara joined the cast in recurring roles.
Ellen Pompeo continues the reduced role set in Season 21. She appears in about seven episodes while maintaining narration across the season. The show balances veteran characters with newer residents as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital manages reconstruction and emotional recovery after the explosion.
The false Patrick Dempsey rumors highlight how quickly unverified claims spread on social platforms, especially when tied to a beloved character. Viewers should verify casting news through official network channels, the show’s accounts, or established outlets.
Watch Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu.
