Not only does it look more and more as if the Hollywood writers' strike may cap Season Four of Grey's Anatomy at only 11 episodes, but leading man Patrick Dempsey now says the relationship that has kept viewers on the edge of their seats for three years may have finally reached its expiration date.

Patrick Dempsey tells TV Guide:

"The next couple of episodes are going to be completely different with what happens with Meredith and Derek... I'm looking forward to that change and that movement."

Dempsey, who was interviewed by TV Guide exclusively while he promoted his new movie, Enchanted, in Los Angeles November 4, says he is ready for his character, Dr. Derek Shepherd, to move on â€" potentially to the new character (reportedly to be played by Lauren Stamile) set to be brought in as his love interest.

"I just want the characters to continue to grow, and to work things out realistically," Patrick Dempsey said. "Derek and Meredith's relationship has gone as far as it can go. I don't think it's going to go unless she commits to marrying him or goes into therapy and starts working on herself. We'll have a cliffhanger with this last show and there will be a resolve that seems to be permanent."

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.