"Grey's Anatomy" Season 11 ended with the death of beloved character Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), but according to Ellen Pompeo, who portrays McDreamy's widow Meredith Grey, his demise was necessary for furthering the storyline of the medical drama.

"In order for a one-hour drama to continue, there has to be big upheavals," Pompeo said during the 2015 Television Critics Association summer press tour.

"Every time we've lost a major character -- we've had such amazing characters on the show and every time we've lost one, it's been devastating and sad. You think, 'How can the show go on?' But that's how the writers find inspiration. So the loss of the big characters is exactly how the show does go on."

The actress elaborated on the Season 12 storyline during a Wednesday interview with Us Weekly. She hinted at what fans can expect from the premiere episode titled "Sledgehammer."

"We just started the second episode today. The first episode has been focused on Meredith's career and her new living situation, who she's going to live with. So we're not so far in, and I know the focus this year is going to be how do you move on in the face of tragedy? And she's got three kids, so I guess to dive into her kids and work is the most logical place. But I've only seen two scripts," Pompeo said.

In June, it was announced that "Secrets & Lies" star Martin Henderson would join the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital cast as a new, handsome surgeon. Fans immediately buzzed the newcomer could be Meredith's new love interest.

"I have not planned to [introduce a new love interest for her] and that's not really the focus of what we're doing with her right now," "Grey's Anatomy" creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes told E! News on Wednesday. "Meredith is in a rebirth and she's evolving. I'm watching the character do what the character's doing and I'll see where it goes."

In an interview this week with FOX11, Rhimes said the medical drama's future rests in the hands of Pompeo.

"The show has always been Ellen," Rhimes told FOX11.

According to Rhimes, it is vital the show moves forward with its namesake character, Meredith Grey.

"I am not going to comment on whether the show would fold without her, but I am telling you that is where I am interested in writing," Rhimes said.

In January 2014, Pompeo signed a two-year contract extension meant to keep her on the air through the next season. Negotiations to keep her from leaving are already happening.

"They are talking about that right now," Rhimes confirmed.

Watch the premiere episode "Sledgehammer" of "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.