Grey’s Boss Promises a ‘Delightful and Fun’ Arc Awaits Returning Doc

Don’t be concerned if you feel as if your heart is swelling when you tune into Grey’s Anatomy this fall. The return of Kali Rocha as Dr. Sydney Heron — after a 17-year (!) absence — is likely to have that affect, showrunner Meg Marinis tells TVLine.

Sydney’s three-episode arc “is delightful and fun, and if you’re a longtime fan of the show, it is going to be a great, great treat,” the EP says. “Kali is fantastic. The second we heard her voice at the table read, we all had big smiles on our faces.”

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In fact, Sydney was rarely seen without a smile herself. During her previous stint in Seasons 2-4 at what is now Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, she was as perky and upbeat as perky and upbeat could get. And now? “If you remember how our original interns kind of responded to her,” Marinis teases, “you can think about how our doctors in Season 21 will respond to her. Fans will be very satisfied to see her back.”

greys anatomy season 21 kali rocha returning
ABC/Everett Collection

Also scrubbing in once again when ABC begins airing new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10/9c is Jason George, whose Station 19 character Ben Warren is coming back to complete his surgical residency. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist vet Michael Thomas Grant is joining the cast in the recurring role of gay hospital chaplain James. On their way out are Jake Borelli as co-chief resident Levi Schmitt and Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda.

Review everything we know about Season 21 via the list below, then hit the comments with the names of the docs you’d like to see follow Sydney back to Seattle.

greys anatomy season 21 mashup
greys anatomy season 21 mashup

Grey’s Anatomy Season 21: Everything We Know So Far

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