This ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star is returning for Season 21 after a 17-year absence

Eric Todisco
·3 min read

Blast from the past!

A former “Grey’s Anatomy” star is returning for Season 21 after spending 17 years away from the show.

Kali Rocha, who played Dr. Sydney Heron from Seasons 2 to 4, will have a three-episode guest arc in the upcoming season, Deadline reported on Thursday.

Kali Rocha in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kali Rocha in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

In 2006, Rocha, 52, joined the cast of the hit ABC series as a fourth-year resident who takes over Miranda Bailey’s (Chandra Wilson) role of overseeing the interns when Bailey goes on maternity leave.

Sydney later ran against Bailey and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) for the Chief Resident position, but she lost.

She also served as Izzie Stevens’ (Katherine Heigl) peer counselor after Denny’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) death and went on a bad date with Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

Chandra Wilson, Katherine Heigl, Kali Rocha in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Chandra Wilson, Katherine Heigl, Kali Rocha in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

After appearing in one episode of Season 2, Rocha, as Sydney, was brought back for five episodes in Season 3 and two episodes in Season 4.

Her final appearance on the show was in November 2007.

Kali Rocha at the “Waco: The Aftermath” premiere in April 2023. Getty Images
Kali Rocha at the “Waco: The Aftermath” premiere in April 2023. Getty Images

“Grey’s Anatomy” is heading into its 21st season after being on the air since 2005.

The Season 21 main cast includes Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Wilson as Bailey, James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Chris Carmack as Atticus Lincoln, Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu, Alexis Floyd as Simone Griffith, Harry Shum Jr. as Blue Kwan, Adelaide Kane as Jules Millin and Niko Terho as Lucas Adams.

Scott Speedman, Kim Raver, Niko Terho and Alexis Floyd in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
Scott Speedman, Kim Raver, Niko Terho and Alexis Floyd in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
The cast of “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
The cast of “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC

Jason George will return as Ben Warren, after departing the show to star in the spinoff “Station 19,” which ended in March.

The new season will also see the exits of Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt and Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda.

At Disney’s D23 event last weekend, showrunner Meg Marinis teased what fans can expect from Season 21, which premieres Sept. 26.

Niko Terho, Midori Francis, Adelaide Kane, Simone Griffith and Harry Shum Jr. in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
Niko Terho, Midori Francis, Adelaide Kane, Simone Griffith and Harry Shum Jr. in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC

“My favorite thing to do is to tie up our characters in the messiest knot possible in a finale, which I feel like we did pretty successfully,” she said.

“We have doctors who do not have jobs, and we pick up pretty close to where we ended after the finale, and we’re gonna see how and if those doctors get their jobs back,” Marinis added.

Marinis also said the new season will have “some fun relationship” moments and “some very fun event medical, very ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ shocking moments.”

“I think you’re gonna be happy,” she added.

“Grey’s Anatomy” Season 21 premieres Sept. 26 on ABC.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next