Martin Henderson Will Be Meredith’s New Love Interest On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 12

Since Martin Henderson was signed on for Grey’s Anatomy by show creator Shonda Rhimes, there has been buzz about the role Henderson would play on Season 12 of the hit series. Since the departure of Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd, A.K.A. McDreamy, and the husband of the title character, Meredith Grey, fans have been curious to see if Rhimes would slide another hunk into position to be Meredith’s new beau.

Many have been consistently suspicious that Henderson would fill in as Meredith Grey’s new love interest, and it seems more likely now that the season will begin this Thursday. Rhymes still insists that Henderson will not make an appearance on the show until some point mid season.

Design & Trend is quoting that Shonda Rhimes believes that this season is more about Meredith’s journey than her new love options.

“That’s not really the point. Meredith’s on a journey, Meredith’s always been on a journey, and I’m taking her where the journey leads her, so we’ll see what she feels like,” she said.

But having said that, the word is that by the end of the season, Meredith will be open to new love, and that person will be played by Martin Henderson.

“This year we’re going to turn over the soil, and the show has a lighter look. It’s brighter. We’re trying to go back a little bit more to the original ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and have a little bit of a lighter tone this year,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

Ellen Pompeo And The New 'McDreamy' Martin Henderson On 'Grey's Anatomy' – http://t.co/2IPrNfHO5F

— INQUISITR Entertainment (@IQShowbiz) August 7, 2015

International Business Times is referring to Martin Henderson as “McDreamy 2.0,” as Meredith Grey’s new love interest.

“Well, it being a one-hour drama, you never know!” Pompeo teased after Entertainment Weekly asked if she would ever be able to embrace love following Derek’s death. “We’re going to start seeing Meredith begin exploring the questions of ‘Once you’ve had a perfect love and a perfect marriage, with the perfect guy, what do you do next?’ ”

Season 12 will be all about rebirth on Grey’s Anatomy, for Meredith and the rest of the cast. After last year’s tragedies, Shonda Rhimes is committed to keeping the season a bit lighter.

Will you be tuning in on Thursday to Grey’s Anatomy?

[Photo courtesy of ABC / GO]