Grey's AnatomyAlum Kali Rocha to Make Her Big Return to the Series After 17 Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Theo Wargo/Getty

A familiar face is coming back to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital!

Kali Rocha, who played Dr. Sydney Heron for eight episodes onGrey’s Anatomyduring seasons 2-4, will reprise her role in a three-episode arc on the show’s upcoming 21st season,Deadlineconfirmed on Aug. 15.

Reacting to the news on social media, Rocha, 52, simply shared a post featuring Deadline’s article confirming her big return.

Rocha was last seen on the show in 2007, making her 2024 return to the show a comeback 17 years in the making. Her character was a slightly, overbearingly positive fourth-year resident who stepped in for Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and handled her interns – Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina (Sandra Oh), Alex (Justin Chambers), Izzie (Katherine Heigl) and George (T. R. Knight) – while Bailey was on maternity leave.

No details are known about what Heron’s storyline in season 21 will be. However, it’ll see her reunite onscreen alongside Wilson’s Dr. Bailey – and potentially make way for a reunion for her and Meredith, asPompeo is confirmed to appear in seven upcoming episodesas her beloved character Dr. Meredith Grey.

Kali Rocha as as Sydney Heron on Grey’s Anatomy.Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Fans last saw Meredith onscreenin the season 20 finale, when she resigned from her job at Grey Sloan Memorial after Catherine Fox (Debbie Allen) discovered her secret Alzheimer’s research. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) were also caught in the crosshairs of the controversy, leaving their fates up in the air, too.

McKidd told PEOPLE that there’s a “rocky road” ahead for Teddy and Owenas they try to “come back to the hospital.”

“It’s a lot of fun when it happens,” he teased, adding, “It causes some tension between Teddy and Owen as well. Because there’s been some decisions made, but I think they’re going to fight through it.”

Christopher Willard via Getty

Grey’swasrenewed for a historic 21st season in April, extending its own record as the longest-running medical drama and ABC’s longest-running primetime scripted series.

Shonda Rhimescelebrated the news onInstagramwith a photo from 2015 when the cast celebrated the show’s 250th episode. “To still be on your screens, in your living rooms, and in your hearts almost ten years later - words cannot express my gratitude,” she previously wrote.

“Grey’swas something I made up 20+ years ago, and I am so incredibly proud that it’s been picked up for its 21st season,” Rhimes continued. “This honestly could not be possible without you guys..caring about the stories I tell, the talented cast, writers, and crew. Wow.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Season 21 ofGrey’s Anatomypremieres Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com