The transition of “Grey’s Anatomy” from one season to another, from one heartbreak to another and from new hellos to goodbyes, ABC has confirmed a new leading man for the show in the person of Martin Henderson as the actor was signed as a regular cast for Season 12. The New Zealand-born actor began his rise to fame after appearing on Shonda Rhime’s 2011 medical drama, “Off the Map.” It could be because of his medical drama forte that he was chosen to become part of the 12th season of the “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Martin Henderson seems to be a perfect fit as the show’s new McDreamy since he is not only an attractive new doctor who patients can trust, but he also has the acting background to back it up. He started acting at the age of 13 in a local television production in New Zealand called “Strangers.” Then, he became the country’s superstar during the 90s after starring in the series, “Shortland Street.”
After his three-year run on “Shortland Street,” Henderson traveled to Australia where he participated in a couple of short-lived series.
Henderson’s Australian trip got even more exciting when he became friends with Heath Ledger after they both appeared on a soap opera called “Sweat.” Henderson convinced Ledger to move to Sydney where he mentored the young actor. Henderson pursued a promising role in the movie “Kick” where he got an AFI Award nomination. He and Ledger were close friends until the “Batman” star died.
Aside from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Henderson is also working on a couple of new films to be released this year and on 2016 including “Everest,” “Juveniles” and “Hellbent.”
Post-Derek Shepherd era
Meanwhile, “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 11 ended with a lot of conflicts. Rhimes even said the she has seen that the entire “Grey’s Anatomy” family is entering an uncharted territory in this post-Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) era. She added that since there are so many open holes, the writers have an endless possibility on the show’s direction.
Season 11 premiered on September 25, 2014. In it’s 24 episodes, a lot of characters were twisted and confused. Shonda Rhimes even admitted in an interview that the entire season was Meredith-focused. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, had a very hard time recovering after her half-sister showed up without any notice while she ponders why her husband wants to go escape their world and just go someplace else.
Dr. Grey dealt with the absence of her husband who went to Washington D.C. Even during the season finale, Meredith did not get any answer as to why her husband went away. All she knew was that she did not want to be the hindrance that kept her husband from doing what he wanted to do.