Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, who plays Derek Shepherd, discusses his decision to continue playing Derek for two more years, the ninth season of the show and his vision for the series finale (which we hope is not for a very long time!).

In a new interview with TVLine from the set of ABC’s medical drama, Dempsey admitted his decision to stick around came down to job security.

“You look at what’s going on in the world and how difficult it is to get a job. Actors who have been on other [hit] shows aren’t working,” Dempsey explained to TVLine. “I’m like, you know what? Why not [stay]? It’s here. It’s still going. Everybody’s working really well together. The scheduling is working out this year. And it’s still amazingly popular. I had a long time where I wasn’t working. I was struggling. So why not? And the money’s good. I would be stupid to say no.”

The actor, who has also been in movies like Sweet Home Alabama and Enchanted, also reacted to a comment creator Shonda Rhimes previously made about Meredith and Derek getting more romantic scenes this season, saying, “I need to get to the gym more.”

More romance doesn’t mean a traditional wedding for Mer and Der, however.

“I would’ve liked that, but that’s not going to happen,” Dempsey said of traditional wedding for the show’s main characters. “I think probably when there’s a real wedding, it’s the end [of the series].”

As for his vision for the series finale, Dempsey is gunning for simplicity.

“I hope it’s not something traumatic like another plane crash or somebody getting run over by a bus,” he said. “I think [life will] sort of just go on. I think it would just go out very simply — and leave it open for the movie,” Dempsey added with a laugh.

Check out the full interview at TVLine.com to find out how Dempsey reacted to Eric Dane (Mark Sloan)’s departure, Derek and Meredith’s journey this season and his relationship with co-star Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey).

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The fourth episode of the season, “I Saw Her Standing There,” airs tonight.