As NCIS leans deeper into nostalgia, one long-missing character suddenly feels impossible to ignore. More than four years after her shocking exit, Ellie Bishop may finally be poised for a return — and the timing couldn’t be better.
Introduced in Season 11 after Ziva David’s departure, Bishop (Emily Wickersham) stood out immediately. An NSA analyst with unconventional habits and razor-sharp instincts, she brought a different energy to Gibbs’ team. Over seven seasons, she became a core player — making her sudden disappearance in the Season 18 finale all the more startling.
Bishop left under a cloud of disgrace, confessing to leaking classified files before quitting NCIS. Only viewers knew the truth: she sacrificed her reputation to go undercover on a covert mission with Odette Malone. She vanished without answers, leaving behind unresolved emotions — especially with Nick Torres — and one unforgettable goodbye.
Now, NCIS seems primed to revisit unfinished business. With the franchise celebrating its history through NCIS: Origins, the Tony & Ziva spinoff, and recent callbacks to former characters, Bishop’s absence stands out. Her fate remains one of the show’s biggest unanswered questions.
Fueling speculation, Sean Murray recently teased the possible return of a familiar face, while a Season 23 synopsis hints at a mission involving a former team member. Add in Wickersham’s recent visits to the Paramount lot, and the clues start to stack up.
If NCIS truly wants to honor its past while pushing its characters forward, bringing Ellie Bishop back — possibly as a hunted operative — could deliver one of the most emotionally charged storylines the series has seen in years. 🔍
