NCIS gave fans a huge surprise in the December 16 fall finale: the return of Ellie Bishop — but not the Bishop they remember.
Played by Emily Wickersham, Bishop is now tied to a mysterious situation that places her on the opposite side of the team… or at least it seems that way. In the episode, Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) receives her first NCIS: Elite assignment — and her target is Bishop. Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) orders her to keep the mission secret, even from Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), who once had a romantic connection with Bishop. Unknown to them, Bishop is already watching the team.
Fans immediately reacted with shock and excitement. Wickersham hadn’t appeared on NCIS since the Season 18 finale, when Bishop left the agency in disgrace as part of a secret mission. Viewers flooded social media with reactions ranging from stunned disbelief to pure joy, praising the twist and celebrating her return.
Executive producer Steven D. Binder teased that Bishop’s comeback won’t be simple — and she isn’t being hunted because she’s innocent. He explained she’s now “Bishop 2.0,” shaped by high-pressure experiences that may have changed her loyalties and relationships forever.
When the show returns in February, fans will finally learn whether Bishop is undercover, framed, or truly no longer the ally the team once knew.