‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Adds This Widely Disliked Doctor to Season 21 Cast
![Kali Rocha as Sydney Heron](https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kali-Rocha-as-Sydney-Heron-1014x570.jpg)
Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital could use some cheering up, apparently, and who better to lift everyone’s spirits (and, to be fair, feelings of annoyance) than the spriteliest surgeon in Seattle, Dr. Sydney Heron?!
Yep, Kali Rocha is returning to Grey’s Anatomy for Season 21, Deadline reports, which means the halls will be alive with the sound of giggles very, very soon.
For those who somehow forgot who Sydney was in the show, she was the far-too-bubbly surgical resident from Seasons 2, 3, and 4 who very briefly dated Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (and, to be fair to her, classily broke that off when she realized he wasn’t emotionally available or interested). She also gave Cristina (Sandra Oh) the icks with her sunny demeanor, which caused Yang to wrongly doubt her skills as a physician. Sydney wasn’t exactly a villain, but she definitely was not favored by her fellow docs when she was there.
According to Deadline, Rocha will return for three episodes of the new season, and she’ll be reuniting with Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), who she initially filled in for during Bailey’s maternity leave.
This is just the latest in a string of cast changes for Grey’s Season 21.
Before this, we learned that Ellen Pompeo would be appearing as Meredith Grey in more episodes than she did in Seasons 19 and 20, and Jason George will be bringing Ben Warren back to the halls of the hospital once more after stepping down from the surgical unit to fight fires over on the now-ended spinoff Station 19. Fans will also see a bit more of Scott Speedman as Mer’s love interest Nick Marsh, and the show added Michael Thomas Grant as the hospital’s resident chaplain James.
Sadly, the season will also see some departures, with both Jake Borelli, who plays Dr. Levi Schmitt, and Midori Francis, who plays Dr. Mika Yasuda, expected to conclude their storylines in Season 21.
Grey’s Anatomy, Season 21 premiere, September 26, 10/9c, ABC