 A cynical , New York City divorce attorney who does not believe in true love or happily @-@ ever @-@ after , or that Giselle understands his daughter , Morgan . Lima cast Dempsey after Disney was satisfied with the casting of Adams but had wanted more well @-@ known actors in the film . Dempsey , whose starring role on TV series Grey 's Anatomy had earned him the nickname " McDreamy " , was described by Lima as " a modern @-@ day Prince Charming to today 's audience " . The role was challenging for Dempsey because he had to play the straight man to Adams and Marsden 's more outrageous characters . 
