'Grey's Anatomy's' Patrick Dempsey Inks Development Deal With ABC Studios (Exclusive)

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Patrick Dempsey

Grey's AnatomystarPatrick Dempseyis adding executive producer to hisrsum.

The actor and his Shifting Gears Entertainment banner has inked an overall deal with ABC Studios,The Hollywood Reporterhas learned.

Dempsey will create and develop new scripted fare for the studio, which produces theShonda Rhimes-BetsyBeersdrama poised to enter its11thseason in the fall. Under the deal, Dempsey and his Shifting Gears producing partner/managerJoannieBursteinhave also tappedBen Tierneyas seniorvpproduction. Tierney joins the company after serving asvpproduction at TobeyMaguire's Material Pictures and working as a development exec atJohnny Depp's InfinitumNihilbanner.

Additionally, Shifting Gears has optionedMichaelCannell'sracing bookThe Limit as a potential drama series at Sundance TV. Published in 2011, the book tells the story of Phil Hill, a California mechanic who in 1960 became the first American-born driver to win the Grand Prix, racing in an era of glamor, valor and daring.

Dempsey, who in January inked a newtwo-year deal to remain onGrey'sAnatomy througha potential12thseason, has starred as Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd since the medical drama's inception. He is one of the few remaining original stars on the series, which last year sawSandra Ohexit.

The deal comes after Dempsey executive produced Velocity'sRacingLe Mans,a four-part docuserieschronicling the car racing enthusiast's participation in France's legendary 24-hour race. Dempsey's company is also attached to produce the Universal featureArt of Racing in the Rain.

"I like working in television. I think that's the best place to be where you can get your stuff seen,"Dempsey toldTHRin a July 2013 interview aboutLe Mans, noting he had a handful of other documentaries that he'd like to bring to the small screen.

Dempsey joinsRhimesand Beers'Shondalandas well as co-star and on-screen love interestEllenPompeowith producing deals at ABC Studios.Pompeolaunched production company Calamity Jane in 2011 and is developing a cop drama for ABC andfinancial satireDebtfor ABC Family.

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'Grey's Anatomy's' Patrick Dempsey Inks Development Deal With ABC Studios (Exclusive)