JUST IN: PATRICK DEMPSEY tells ET that his ABC hit "Grey's Anatomy" is not prepared for the pending Writers Guild of America strike.

While promoting his new film 'Enchanted,' he told ET's THEA ANDREWS, "The problem is that we're not that far ahead scriptwise. I think we'll have enough shows that take us through Christmas, and after that we'll see if that's the season or not."

When asked if Hollywood is looking at a virtual shutdown, he said, "I think there's a real chance of that happening. It's going to be very bad for television, certainly. The season will be wiped out if [the strike] continues for too long."

The star also expressed deep concern for crew members and those in the Hollywood community.

"My concern is not so much for myself really, because I'll be alright, but I think how long this strike lasts is going to affect a lot of people that are living paycheck to paycheck -- they are going to be damaged profoundly by this, and I think that's a real tragedy," he said. "I think a lot of people and a lot of families are going to be in a difficult place in their lives; hopefully we can come to some sort of understanding and resolve this soon enough that it doesn't affect those people."

Unless an agreement can be reached, the strike is expected to begin Monday.

For more, stay tuned to ET!