Chyler Leigh was 'shocked' by McDreamy's death

NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- Chyler Leigh was shocked by Derek Shepherd's recent death on Grey's Anatomy.

The 33-year-old actress discussed the character's unexpected demise in an interview with E! News this week. Shepherd died in the ABC medical drama's April 23 episode, leaving many fans of the series sad and stunned.

"I was [shocked], yeah," Leigh said of the surprising twist. "I had no idea. I was kind of out of that world, so I didn't know. I literally saw it on tour and was like, 'What?' and then I was like, 'Yeah. Makes sense.'"

Leigh portrayed Lexie Grey on four seasons of the long-running program, and was herself killed off in the season eight finale. The character's beau, Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), aka McSteamy, also died in the season nine premiere.

"He's doing fine up there [in Grey's heaven]," the actress joked of Shepherd. "You know, myself, McSteamy and George [O'Malley] ... It's just a little get together up there. Our own little side and corner of the bar booth."

Shepherd's death was particularly shocking because Dempsey was under contract through season 12. Season 11 came to a close Thursday, and the series was renewed for a twelfth season last week to premiere in the fall.

Leigh went on to star as Detective Caitlyn "Cat" Sullivan on short-lived NBC comedy Taxi Brooklyn, and will next portray Alexandra "Alex" Danvers on CBS series Supergirl. The program is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, and released a first trailer Wednesday.