Emmy-nominated actor Kyle MacLachlan has shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes chapter from television history, revealing that he auditioned for the iconic role of Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy. In an excerpt from his forthcoming memoir, Fictional Selves, published this week, the veteran actor detailed his experience trying out for the romantic lead character that ultimately went to Patrick Dempsey.
MacLachlan recalled auditioning in Los Angeles in 2004 for the project, which was created by Shonda Rhimes and set in Seattle. While the actor felt comfortable with the medical drama setting and the general archetype of the character, he admitted feeling uncertain about whether he possessed the specific smoldering charm the producers were seeking for the romantic lead. Dempsey was ultimately cast as Shepherd, playing the beloved character nicknamed 'McDreamy' for eleven seasons.
MacLachlan gained global stardom through his long-time creative collaboration with director David Lynch. He starred as Paul Atreides in the 1984 film adaptation of Dune, played Jeffrey Beaumont in the classic mystery thriller Blue Velvet, and portrayed FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in the groundbreaking mystery television series Twin Peaks. His performance in Twin Peaks earned him a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy nominations.
Over his multi-decade career, MacLachlan has remained a versatile fixture on television and in film. He played Trey MacDougal in HBO's Sex and the City, Orson Hodge in ABC's Desperate Housewives, and the Mayor of Portland in the comedy series Portlandia. More recently, he appeared in the television adaptation of Fallout and voiced Dad in Pixar's hit animated feature Inside Out 2.
His new memoir, Fictional Selves, explores his decades working across television, cinema, and theater, offering readers an intimate look at the major roles he secured as well as the close calls that shaped his path. The excerpt has sparked widespread discussion among television enthusiasts reflecting on how different the iconic medical drama might have looked with MacLachlan in the lead role.
