After nearly five years away, Emily Wickersham is finally returning to NCIS as fan-favorite agent Ellie Bishop—and she’s opening up about what convinced her to come back.
The last time viewers saw Bishop was in 2021, when the former NSA analyst shocked fans by sharing a passionate goodbye kiss with Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama, before leaving on a secret CIA mission. Now, Bishop is set to reappear in the March 3 episode, bringing plenty of mystery with her.
In an interview with TV Insider, Wickersham admitted the invitation to return was simple—but exciting.
“They just asked me back, and it felt really nice because it’s such a familiar place for me,” she said. “I was really excited. When Bishop left the show, there were so many unanswered questions. I don’t know if this will answer all of them for fans, but it will feel like a nice reunion.”
However, the reunion won’t be entirely warm. Bishop returns under suspicious circumstances—she’s now wanted for cyberterrorism, and Agent Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law, has been tasked with bringing her in. Early preview images even show Bishop with a tied-up Torres, hinting that the situation may be far more complicated than it appears.
Wickersham also revealed that both she and her character have changed a lot during the past few years. After becoming a mother and experiencing major life changes, she says stepping back into Bishop’s shoes felt very different.
“Life imitates art and art imitates life,” she explained. “I love playing this character, and she’s changed just like I have. Bishop has been through things since leaving NCIS—things we don’t fully get into—but she’s seen stuff she never saw when she was working at NCIS.”
That experience, she says, has added emotional “baggage” to the character, creating a more complex version of Bishop than fans remember.
Her return will also reopen unfinished relationships, particularly with Torres, as well as McGee and Kasie—leaving viewers wondering if the lingering tension from that goodbye kiss will finally be addressed.
One thing is certain: Bishop’s comeback is likely to shake things up for the entire team.
NCIS Season 23 returns Tuesday, March 4 at 8/7c on CBS.