Was Dr. Cormac Hayes the perfect match for Meredith after Derek? Fans share their thoughts on Meredith’s best love interest after McDreamy—and the answers might surprise you.
Grey’s Anatomy Fans Debate Meredith’s Best Match After Derek—and Dr. Hayes Tops the List
When Grey’s Anatomy fans look back at Meredith Grey’s romantic journey after the heartbreaking loss of Derek Shepherd, the list of love interests that followed sparked countless debates. From DeLuca to Riggs, to Nick Marsh—and even back to the Vet—one name continues to resurface as a fan favorite: Dr. Cormac Hayes.
A recent post reignited the conversation, showing a touching scene between Meredith and Hayes at a beach wedding, sparking nostalgia and passionate opinions. Titled “Unpopular opinion: Hayes was our favourite for her after Derek 🥰,” the post quickly gathered attention from loyal viewers who had plenty to say.
“Riggs Was Mine for Her After Derek 🥹”
While many agreed with the original post about Hayes, some fans still rooted for Nathan Riggs, arguing he had stronger chemistry and more potential—if only Megan Hunt hadn’t returned to reclaim him. One user noted, “I’m mad that Riggs was taken away by Megan coming back only for them to break up anyway.”
Hayes as “Her Person” More Than a Romantic Partner
Interestingly, some fans didn’t see Hayes as the next great love story but rather as Meredith’s next “person” following Alex Karev’s abrupt departure. One comment read, “He was definitely my favorite. Not as a romantic partner for Mer, but her person like how Alex was.” Another added, “If Hayes stayed, I saw him filling the role of Alex to Mer.”
A Cristina-Approved Love Interest
One overlooked detail that deepened Hayes’ significance for many was the fact that he was essentially Cristina Yang’s “gift” to Meredith. As one fan put it, “Hayes was designed to be our favorite, as he was Cristina’s gift to Mer; it was a weak attempt to make us believe that Cristina was still a huge part of Meredith’s life even years after Sandra left.” While the execution may have fallen short for some, the emotional setup hit home for many fans.
Not Everyone’s Sold on Nick Marsh
As Meredith’s current partner, Nick Marsh has been met with mixed reviews. One commenter wrote, “Nothing is wrong with Nick 😂🤦♂️, he’s moved for her, he’s good to her, he’s good to the kids,” defending his place in her life. But another countered, “The relationship with Nick seemed forced to give her a relationship before she stepped back from the show.”
“Meredith Belonged with the Vet!”
Of course, no Meredith Grey love interest list is complete without a mention of Finn the Vet, an early fan-favorite that many still wish had stuck around. Though his time was short-lived, the sentiment remains strong: “Meredith belonged with the Vet!”
Final Thoughts: No One Replaces Derek, But Hayes Came Close
In the end, most fans agree: Derek Shepherd will always be Meredith’s true love. But when it comes to who could have come close—who could have brought a new kind of calm, mature energy to her chaotic world—Dr. Cormac Hayes might have been the best candidate. Whether as a romantic partner or simply as someone who “got her,” Hayes left a lasting impact on Grey’s Anatomy fans, even in his short time on screen.
And while the show has moved on, one thing’s clear—many viewers haven’t quite let go of what could have been.
