NCIS is setting the stage for Eleanor Bishop’s long-awaited return — and this time, she may be in serious trouble.
Five years after Emily Wickersham last appeared on the show, season 23 is bringing Bishop back into the spotlight with a dramatic twist: she’s now being hunted for arrest. The storyline traces back to her departure in season 18, when she left NCIS for a classified mission following her involvement in an NSA leak.
In the upcoming episode, Agent Jessica Knight is secretly assigned to track a cyberterrorist — only to discover the target is Bishop herself. Unaware she’s being pursued, Bishop has been quietly watching her former team from a distance, including Nick Torres, who never fully moved on after her departure.
Wickersham shared that she was “excited to return” and explore a new version of Bishop shaped by everything she’s experienced since leaving. The reunion with Torres is expected to be emotional, especially as Bishop turns to him for help while trying to avoid capture.
Preview images tease intense moments: Bishop beside Torres, Torres in danger, and an emotional embrace with Kasie Hines. Meanwhile, Knight faces the difficult task of bringing in a former colleague.
The episode marks the first on-screen meeting between Bishop and the team since season 18. While it’s unclear if this is a one-time appearance or the start of a longer arc, fans can expect a high-stakes, emotionally charged comeback.
NCIS returns March 3 on CBS.