Joining a hit show that’s already a global phenomenon isn’t easy — and Emily Wickersham felt that pressure immediately when she arrived on NCIS in Season 11 as Special Agent Ellie Bishop. She wasn’t just the new person on set — she was stepping in after a fan-favorite character, facing a loyal audience wary of change.
“It was really scary,” she later admitted. By then, the series had over a decade of history, a tight cast dynamic, and millions of dedicated viewers, making the expectations even heavier.
Instead of copying what came before, Wickersham shaped Bishop into her own character — analytical, quiet but strong, and emotionally complex. Across eight seasons, she grew from an NSA analyst behind a desk into a confident field agent, eventually winning over both the team and fans.
When she left in Season 18, that frightening first step had turned into one of the most important roles of her career — proof that the biggest risks can pay off.