Why Kali Rocha’s Sydney Heron Left Grey’s Anatomy (& Returned 17 Years Later)

Warning! SPOILERS about Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 1 ahead.

Dr. Sydney Heron appeared back in Grey’s Anatomy season 2 before disappearing in season 4, but season 21 brought her back to Grey Sloan Memorial – here’s why the cheerful surgical resident left and what brought her back in Grey’s Anatomy season 21. Played by Kali Rocha, Sydney Heron greatly annoyed the original group of interns, MAGIC, due to her buoyant approach to everything that was thrown at them. The interns’ hesitation in dealing with Sydney was eventually shared by her fellow surgical residents, who often preferred to avoid working with her, highlighting how her positivity usually came out as passive-aggressive.

Grey’s Anatomy’s longevity as a TV show guaranteed the vast majority of characters left through the years. Becoming notorious for shockingly killing off its main characters, Grey’s Anatomy nonetheless let many of its characters leave the show without being dramatically killed. That was the case for the most recent Grey Sloan Memorial interns, whose careers were negatively impacted by Grey Sloan Memorial losing its residency program, but also for past residents and doctors whose stories were simply not shown onscreen anymore. That was what happened to Kali Rocha’s Dr. Sydney Heron, who disappeared seemingly overnight in Grey’s Anatomy season 4.

Sydney Heron Quietly Left Grey’s Anatomy In Season 4 – What Happened?

Sydney Was Last Seen Onscreen During Her Failed Date With Derek Shepherd

Sydney Heron was effectively introduced as Miranda Bailey’s replacement in Grey’s Anatomy season 2, subbing for her as she was on maternity leave and taking care of Bailey’s interns. Sydney’s approach of “healing with love” was opposed from day one of her covering for Bailey, and Cristina even got Burke to second-guess Sydney’s surgical approach, despite not having any authority to do so, being just an intern. All in all, Sydney Heron’s introduction to Grey’s Anatomy proved epochal, establishing her character without ambiguity and making her unforgettable, an approach Sydney’s departure in Grey’s Anatomy season 4 didn’t share at all.

Indeed, Sydney Heron’s exit from Grey’s Anatomy season 4 happened without fanfare. After appearing on and off throughout Grey’s Anatomy season 3, Sydney only appeared in season 4, episodes 5 and 8. Heron’s last interaction with those at Seattle Grace was on a date with Derek that Meredith claimed he was on to make her believe he was moving on, which was only concluded later in Grey’s Anatomy season 4, episode 8 when Sydney stated Derek couldn’t meet her needs. Sydney’s story had thus run dry, as she didn’t begin dating Derek and lost the coveted spot as chief resident.

Which Grey’s Anatomy Episodes Kali Rocha Appeared In As Sydney Heron

Rocha Played Sydney Heron On Grey’s Anatomy From Season 2 To 4

Kali Rocha portrayed Sydney Heron in eight episodes from Grey’s Anatomy seasons 2 to 4, returning for an additional three in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, bringing the total to 11 episodes. If Sydney’s first appearance in Grey’s Anatomy season 2, episode 15 established her perky attitude while also driving a wedge between her and Cristina while Alex thrived on Sydney’s service, the other episodes in which Heron appeared also prompted her to have a special relationship with Miranda’s interns. A good example of that was Sydney’s profound exchange with Meredith about funeral practices in Grey’s Anatomy season 4, episode 5.

However, what had an even more lasting impact was Sydney’s story arc in Grey’s Anatomy season 3. Indeed, Heron’s stint as Izzie’s peer counselor after Denny’s death helped Izzie but also offered an important insight into Sydney’s story, explaining the tragedy behind her breakdown and her subsequent return to the program as a changed resident. While Heron’s remaining arc in Grey’s Anatomy season 3 only saw her as Miranda’s rival for the chief resident position, Grey’s Anatomy seasons 2 to 4 showed the upbeat resident forge meaningful bonds with her temporary interns, thus concluding Heron’s contribution to the medical drama.

Why Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Brings Back Sydney Heron

Sydney Returns As Residency Program Director, Taking Over Bailey (Again)

Rocha is scheduled to reprise the role of Sydney Heron in three episodes of Grey’s Anatomy season 21. With only one of the three episodes released, it’s difficult to devise her return’s true intentions. However, given how Grey’s Anatomy season 21 already revealed Heron finished her residency and moved to be an attending in Florida, returning to Seattle and Grey Sloan Memorial must have had a lot with the opportunity to direct the residency program and its interns. This would let Sydney’s return mirror her initial arrival, as Heron found herself taking over Bailey also in Grey’s Anatomy season 21.

Bailey never hid her antipathy for Sydney Heron and her approach in Grey’s Anatomy, becoming a focal point in season 3 when Bailey discussed it out loud with Callie. Callie’s brief interactions with Sydney confirmed Bailey’s opinion, as Sydney proved very defensive about how she ran the Denny Duquette Clinic. Given her public and negative reactions to Sydney’s methods, it would be easy for someone outside their dynamic to assume Bailey’s intense dislike for Sydney, making the character responsible for Sydney’s return in Grey’s Anatomy season 21 the one most likely to have done so with ulterior motives in mind.

Grey’s Anatomy season 21’s premiere revealed Richard’s promotion after the mass firings of Grey’s Anatomy season 20’s finale. While Catherine had personal grievances with Bailey due to her support of the interns’ rebellion, making it difficult for Richard to stand up for Bailey outright against Catherine, he could push her to fight. The quickest way to force Bailey to fight for her job and her educator role would be to put a rival she disliked in her place, training interns in a way Bailey abhorred, making this potential machination from Richard the most likely true reason behind Sydney Heron’s return.

What Kali Rocha Has Done Since Leaving Grey’s Anatomy

Rocha’s Career Included Major Roles In Comedies

Ever since she left Grey’s Anatomy, Kali Rocha appeared in various TV shows and films. While most of Rocha’s work after Grey’s Anatomy included minor roles, she played main characters in three comedies. Rocha portrayed Summer Dickie, the titular character’s friend in Sherri for one season in 2009, and also played Karen Rooney in Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie from 2013 to 2017, appearing in 80 episodes as the titular twins’ mother. Finally, Rocha played Adam’s sister-in-law in Man with a Plan from 2016 to 2020, cementing her career in comedy before returning as Sydney to Grey’s Anatomy season 21.

Grey’s Anatomy season 21 releases new episodes every Thursday at 10 pm ET on ABC.