"Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo said that she was offended by fans who claimed that the ABC series would not survive without Patrick Dempsey's McDreamy.

"Let's keep it really real for a second and say this is really difficult for my ego," Pompeo told Entertainment Weekly.

The actress then pointed out that multiple series nowadays have female protagonists and they all seemed to be doing just fine. She explained that she felt frustrated on how her fans thought that her character Meredith Grey needed someone to survive.

"It's like, Annalise Keating ("How To Get Away With Murder") carries the show, Olivia Pope ("Scandal") carries the show," she said.

"But somehow, Meredith Grey needs someone. Why can't I just be the lead of the show the way Annalise and Olivia can? Why can't I be on that poster by myself?"

When Patrick Dempsey's Derek Shepherd was killed off on "Grey's Anatomy" season 11, many fans were left disappointed with Shonda Rhimes' decision. They launched a petition on Change.org to bring him back on the show. The online protest received more than 100,000 signatures to date.

In spite of the protest from fans, the showrunner was adamant in saying that Dempsey will not be returning to the series.

"Shepherd is a beloved character," Rhimes told EW.

"People don't want to lose him. He's been in their lives for over 10 years. But it goes on, and it will evolve."

Shonda Rhimes also supported Ellen Pompeo's statement that Meredith Grey can live without needing Derek Shepherd. She also pointed out that in her effort to become a mother, Grey may have lost a bit of herself in the process and wanted to bring it back next season.

"We got to the point in the season when Meredith said, 'I can live without you, but I don't want to,' which for any woman is a very powerful statement," she explained.

"It means: You compliment me, but you don't complete me."

Tune in for more "Grey's Anatomy" season 12 spoilers, news and cast updates.