Is that you, McDreamy? Patrick Dempsey hit the stage at the D23 Expo on September 9 to accept a Legends Award alongside his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star Ellen Pompeo. Their collaboration spanned decades until Dempsey left the medical drama in 2015. Since removing McDreamy’s lab coat, Dempsey has signed on to projects that have allowed him to expand his range and style. Dempsey, who is known for his salt-and-pepper swoop-y hair, startled the D23 audience with hair so starkly white that you could nearly mistake him for a Targaryen, and these photographs of Patrick Dempsey’s white hair at the D23 Expo show off the unexpected new ‘do.

The new appearance is not inspired by House of the Dragon, though a cameo by Patrick Dempsey would be memorable. With greater time to pursue new ventures, Dempsey is presently filming the upcoming biography Ferrari, in which he plays Piero Taruffi, one of Italy’s most famous race car racers. “I’m having a terrific time,” he said, “because I get to drive a lot of fast cars.” Dempsey was asked to dye his hair icy white to match the racing car driver’s appearance. Taruffi is best known for winning the Mille Miglia, an open-road event held on Italy’s public roads, in 1957.

Dempsey is no stranger to the world of professional racing. He began competing in pro auto races in 2004 and has continued to do so ever since. In 2015, he finished second in the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans amateur race.

Dempsey has heard everything about his white hair and likes it just as much as everyone else. “I adore it; it’s fantastic.” It’s exciting to try something new. “Unfortunately, or luckily, I’m well-known for my hair,” he told Variety. “This has really messed up a lot of people, and they’re not sure how to embrace it.” They either adore it or despise it. ”

I am of the opinion that it is fantastic. It’s a different look for the man who won everyone’s heart as the ever-charming McDreamy, but change is good! If anything, Patrick Dempsey’s new hair shows that he can pull off any look, even platinum.