When you settle down for an episode of Grey's Anatomy, you know crying is a matter of when, not if.

It's a goddamn emotional rollercoaster and throughout the show's 17 seasons, we've lost many tears to this chaotic show.

Often these tears are due to character deaths. Seriously, someone dies nearly every episode.

Watch: Derek and Meredith reunite on Grey's Anatomy. Post continues below video.

Over the years, we've said goodbye to hundreds of characters, from patients to interns and recurring characters.

Main characters aren't off-limits either. Even mainmaincharacters aren't off limits (see: Derek Shepherd). At this point, I'm convinced Shonda Rhimes enjoys screwing with our emotions.

Here's where all these past cast members are now.

Patrick Dempsey, Dr Derek Shepherd.

There were a lot of rumours that Dempsey and Rhimes had a... strained relationship, which ultimately lead to the death of one ofGrey'smost important characters in 2015.

Derek had stopped while driving to help in a car accident, but was hit by a truck. He ended up brain dead, and Meredith later agreed to take him off life support.

Cue inconsolable crying.

However both denied there was any drama: "It had been long enough. It was time for me to move on with other things and other interests. I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier," he told People.

SinceGrey's, Dempsey worked on two small-screen projects: a dramaThe Limitfor SundanceTV and a travelogue spy thriller calledFodors.

In 2015, his wife Jillian Fink filed for divorce, but they reconciled months later and called off the divorce in 2016.

Also in 2016, he starred inBridget Jones's Babyand in 2018, he played the title character in miniseriesThe Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair(which you can watch on Stan).

In February 2020, Dempsey announced his intention to return to broadcast TV, signing on as the lead character in upcoming CBS political dramaWays & Means.

Then in November 2020, Derek made a return toGrey's- for the first time since his death - in Meredith's dream sequence.

He could be back again, too, telling Deadline he'd be game for more cameos.

T.R. Knight, Dr George O'Malley.

Oh, George.

George jumped in front of a bus to save a young woman's life. His injuries were so severe he was unrecognisable - so much so his friends at the hospital had no idea it was him until he traced his nickname (007) on Meredith's hand.

His death was very sudden and came about due to some off-screen drama.

In 2009, Knight announced he was leaving the show, frustrated by the lack of screen time his character George was receiving.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly he said he did not discuss this frustration, which saw George appear in just 48 minutes in the first nine episodes of season five, with Rhimes due to a "breakdown of communication". Instead, he just decided to leave.

"My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George]," he explained. "And with respect, I'm going to leave it at that."

Since his departure, Knight has worked both on- and off-Broadway, and also kept up his film and television career.

He starred in multiple episodes ofThe Good Wifeand played Reince Priebus in miniseries The Comey Rule. He also appeared as Davey Bowden inThe Flight Attendant, alongside Kaley Cuoco.

In 2013, Knight married his long-time partner Patrick B. Leahy.

In a surprising twist inGrey'sseason 17, the show also brought back George after Derek during Meredith's dream sequence.

Kate Burton, Dr Ellis Grey.

The original Dr Grey was an important character because of how the world-renowned surgeon defined Meredith and Richard - both when she was alive, and after her death. She died after being given Loraz