Production on TNT’s “The Last Ship” has been temporarily docked at the request of its star, Eric Dane, who is battling depression, TheWrap has learned.
Dane, known to most as Dr. Mark Sloan, or “McSteamy,” on “Grey’s Anatomy,” is taking a break from production to deal with personal mental health issues, the network told TheWrap.
“He suffers from depression and has asked for a few weeks of downtime and the producers kindly granted that request. He looks forward to returning,” the actor’s rep told Variety.
The show, which is loosely based on the novel of the same name by William Brinkley, follows a Navy destroyer after a virus has wiped out 80 percent of the world’s population. “Transformers” director Michael Bay is an executive producer.
Dane plays Captain Tom Chandler, whose wife had died from the virus.
“The Last Ship” was recently renewed for fourth and fifth seasons, which are set to be filmed back-to-back. The fourth season has already wrapped production, according to reports, which means fans of the show won’t have to wait for the premiere, which is set for this summer.
At the time of its premiere back in 2014, it was one of TNT’s top series debuts, reeling in 5.3 million viewers in its first run and 7.4 million total after the encore presentation. According to the network, “The Last Ship” reaches an average of The Last Ship is reaching an average of 7.1 million viewers per episode across multiple platforms and is one of basic cable’s top summer dramas for adults aged 18-49.
TheWrap did not immediately hear back from Dane’s reps for comment.