Blast From The Past: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Brings Back Kali Rocha For Guest Arc As Sydney Heron After 17 Years

EXCLUSIVE: Grey’s Anatomy has proven time and time again that characters may be gone but they are never forgotten. A return this coming season will take that to a new level as Kali Rocha is set to reprise her role as Sydney Heron 17 years after she last appeared on the popular ABC medical drama.

In what is likely a record-long gap for a character coming back to an ongoing series, Rocha is set to do three episodes in the upcoming 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy, setting up a Sydney-Bailey reunion and giving fans an update on how Sydney is doing almost two decades after we last saw her.

Sydney was first introduced in Episode 15 of Grey’s second season as a perky fourth-year resident who filled in for Bailey (Chandra Wilson) overseeing the interns while she was on maternity leave. Rocha came back as a recurring the following season, appearing in five episodes, and was brought back in Season 4 for two additional episodes, making the last of her eight guest stints on the show in Episode 8, which aired in November 2007.

Sydney immediately made an impression on the interns with her eternal optimism and “heal with love” philosophy, which she had adopted after suffering a nervous breakdown over losing a patient and taking a break from medicine.

She then unsuccessfully ran against Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Bailey for the Chief Resident position and she also went on a date with Derek (Patrick Dempsey) before realizing that they were not compatible.

Always delightfully — or irritatingly, depending on who you ask — chipper, Sydney has divided fans with her positive attitude. But she has been a standout character, serving as the narrator of the book The Grey’s Anatomy Guide to Healing with Love. She also has developed a following over the years as new, younger viewers discover the series on streaming.

Bringing familiar faces back for a visit — and a life and career update — to Grey Sloan after years away is a longstanding Grey’s Anatomy tradition. Kate Walsh returned in Season 18 a decade after her character Addison was last seen on the show. Last season, Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona was back after a 5½-year break. And Scott Speedman became a series regular in Season 19 some 3½ years after his character Nick was introduced in an episode. He has been a recurring for the past two seasons and will be back again this coming season for more episodes.

Rocha is also known for her roles in Liv & Maddie and Man with a Plan. She recently starred in the Showtime limited series Waco: The Aftermath. Rocha is repped by Innovative Artists and The Rosenzweig Group.