Shonda Rhimes Finally Explains Why Derek Had to Die on Grey's

When E! News caught up with Rhimes after the panel ended, she revealed that since she didn't think "this show would go this long," she "never had exit plans for anybody" in mind.

"I didn't have an exit plan for Sandra [Oh]," Rhimes tells E! News. "Oh my god, I didn't have an exit plan for her. So as the show goes longer and longer, the originals, I think it's fascinating that everyone's like, 'Oh my god, this person wants to leave?' Like yeah, Patrick wants to leave. It's been 11 seasons for god's sake, let the man go! Please! It doesn't drive me crazy, but I think it's fascinating that after 248 episodes, people are shocked that he wants a break, that he's done."

She continues, "I never had an exit plan, so for me coming up with one was difficult, but it was rewarding in the end. He and I were both extremely proud of how he exited. We talked about it a lot and we were extremely proud. It was brutal and I found it incredibly painful to write and painful to watch."

Because of how they decided to write McDreamy's death, Rhimes couldn't bring herself to go to set while it was being shot.