Actress Ellen Pompeo, of the series "Grey's Anatomy," arrives at the 2013 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, January 9, 2013.
Actress Ellen Pompeo, of the series "Grey's Anatomy," arrives at the 2013 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, January 9, 2013. Reuters/Danny Moloshok

Ellen Pompeo is not happy with the fans of “Grey's Anatomy” who believe that the show cannot run without the male protagonist—McDreamy, played by Patrick Dempsey.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Pompeo acknowledged that she received very sexist remarks when her on-screen husband, Dr. Derek Shepard died in the series. She told the publication that McDreamy's death has been “difficult for my ego” and also compared herself to “Scandal's” Kerry Washington and “How to Get Away With Murder's” Viola Davis.

Pompeo fails to understand that if women like Davis and Washington can carry the show on their shoulders, why can't she. “Why can’t I just be the lead of the show the way Annalise and Olivia can? Why can’t I be on that poster by myself?” she asked.

Pompeo tells the magazine that she was aghast to read viewer's reviews when it was announced that McDreamy would be killed in an accident.

Ironically, “Grey's Anatomy” is the story of Pompeo's character, Meredith Grey and essentially revolves around her. But the actress finds it hard to believe that her fans think otherwise.

"All of a sudden, Patrick leaves, and it’s like, 'Oh my God, Meredith’s gonna get killed with Alzheimer’s!'" the actress said of the viewer's response. "The show couldn’t possibly go on without the man!'"

Change.org has a petition for bringing back Patrick Dempsey’s character on the show and it has the signature of more than 108,000 fans.

However, show's boss Shonda Rhimes is determined not to bring Dempsey’s character back. Rhimes wants to break the female stereotype to showcase a woman like Meredith, who is strong enough to lead her life without the presence of a man.

“We got to the point in the season when Meredith said, “I can live without you, but I don’t want to,” which for any woman is a very powerful statement. It means: You compliment me, but you don’t complete me,” she added.

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