CBS’s latest update about NCIS season 23 makes Ellie Bishop’s return situation more frustrating. After slipping down from the ratings in the last couple of years, the long-running premier procedural appears to be pulling all the stops for the 2025-2026 TV cycle. NCIS season 23 has rolled out a few memorable episodes, and it hasn’t even reached its midpoint.
Amid everything that has happened in NCIS season 23, however, arguably the biggest surprise has been the return of Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop. The character walked away from MCRT shortly before Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ retirement, but unlike Mark Harmon’s exit, her departure was more convoluted and less ironed out. The NCIS season 23 finale ended with the cliffhanger that she’s back, leaving viewers waiting anxiously for some answers.
For years, NCIS fans have been holding onto one big hope: Ellie Bishop coming back in a meaningful way. Not a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo. Not a vague name drop. A real return.
But now? After the latest CBS update regarding NCIS Season 23, that hope feels shakier than ever.
Instead of clearing things up, CBS has managed to make Ellie Bishop’s possible return even more confusing—and more frustrating. And fans are not holding back.
So what exactly went wrong? Why does this update sting so much? And is CBS quietly setting up one of the most disappointing character mishandlings in NCIS history?
Let’s break it all down.
The Emotional Weight of Ellie Bishop’s Exit
Why Ellie Bishop Still Matters to NCIS Fans
Ellie Bishop wasn’t just another character. When Emily Wickersham joined NCIS in Season 11, she stepped into massive shoes—and somehow made them her own.
Bishop brought:
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Intelligence without arrogance
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Emotional depth without melodrama
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Growth that felt earned, not rushed
She evolved from an NSA analyst who hated fieldwork into a confident operative who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NCIS legends.
That kind of character arc sticks with viewers.
A Departure That Never Felt Final
When Bishop left in Season 18, it didn’t feel like closure—it felt like a pause.
Her exit as a covert operative was:
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Rushed
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Emotionally heavy
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Packed with unresolved relationships
And most importantly, it left the door wide open for a return.
Fans noticed. CBS knew it. Expectations were set.
The Long Wait for Ellie Bishop’s Return
Years of Teases and Silence
Since her exit, Ellie Bishop has existed in a strange limbo:
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Mentioned occasionally
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Never shown
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Never fully explained
Each season sparked new rumors:
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“This could be the year.”
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“Maybe a guest arc.”
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“What if she comes back undercover?”
But Season 23 felt different—until it didn’t.
Why Season 23 Felt Like the Right Time
With NCIS entering a new era, Season 23 seemed perfect for:
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Legacy character returns
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Emotional callbacks
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Long-term story payoffs
Ellie Bishop checked every box.
Which is exactly why the CBS update hurts so much.
The New CBS Update That Sparked Fan Backlash
What CBS Actually Confirmed (And Didn’t)
CBS recently addressed Season 23’s direction—and Ellie Bishop’s name was noticeably absent from any concrete plans.
No confirmation.
No casting news.
No hint of a storyline.
Instead, the update focused on:
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New characters
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Procedural resets
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“Fresh dynamics”
That might sound harmless, but for fans waiting years? It felt like a slap.
Why Vagueness Is Worse Than Bad News
Here’s the thing: fans can handle disappointment.
What they can’t handle is being strung along.
By refusing to clarify Ellie Bishop’s status, CBS has:
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Kept expectations alive
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Offered no payoff
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Prolonged frustration
It’s like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel—only to realize it’s just a reflection.
How This Makes Ellie Bishop’s Return Even Worse
From Anticipation to Afterthought
The longer CBS delays clarity, the more Bishop’s return risks feeling:
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Forced
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Tokenized
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Emotionally hollow
A character this important deserves intention—not indecision.
The Risk of a Weak Cameo
At this point, fans fear the worst:
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A single-episode appearance
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Minimal dialogue
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No lasting impact
That wouldn’t honor Bishop’s legacy. It would diminish it.
Fan Reactions: Frustration Is Reaching a Boiling Point
Social Media Isn’t Holding Back
Across platforms, fans are saying the same thing:
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“Stop teasing if it’s not happening.”
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“Ellie deserves better.”
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“Why even mention her at this point?”
The frustration isn’t loud—it’s tired. And that’s worse.
Loyal Fans Feel Taken for Granted
NCIS has survived for over two decades because of its audience. When those fans feel ignored, the damage isn’t instant—but it’s real.
Why CBS’s Strategy Feels Out of Touch
Legacy Characters Are a Strength, Not a Crutch
Modern television thrives on emotional continuity. Fans want:
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Meaningful callbacks
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Character evolution
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Emotional resolution
Ellie Bishop represents all of that.
Ignoring her isn’t “moving forward.” It’s skipping a chapter.
Other NCIS Returns Set a Higher Bar
Past returns in the NCIS universe worked because they:
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Respected the character
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Advanced the story
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Acknowledged history
Bishop deserves the same treatment.
Is There Still Hope for Ellie Bishop in NCIS Season 23?
Why CBS Might Be Playing the Long Game
To be fair, silence doesn’t always mean “no.”
CBS could be:
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Avoiding spoilers
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Holding back a surprise arc
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Negotiating behind the scenes
But hope without communication only goes so far.
What a Proper Ellie Bishop Return Would Look Like
Fans aren’t asking for miracles. They want:
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A multi-episode arc
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Emotional closure
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A role that matters
Anything less would feel like a missed opportunity.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for NCIS
Franchise Longevity Depends on Trust
When a show runs this long, trust becomes currency.
Every vague update, every unresolved tease, chips away at that trust.
Ellie Bishop Is a Test Case
How CBS handles Bishop’s return—or lack of one—will signal:
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How much the network values its history
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How it treats fan investment
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Whether emotional storytelling still matters
Conclusion: CBS Is Running Out of Time
Ellie Bishop’s return should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, it’s becoming a symbol of uncertainty, frustration, and missed chances.
The latest CBS update didn’t just fail to excite—it made things worse.
Fans aren’t demanding fan service. They’re asking for respect. For clarity. For storytelling that honors what came before.
Season 23 still has time to fix this—but the clock is ticking.
FAQs
Will Ellie Bishop return in NCIS Season 23?
As of now, CBS has not confirmed Ellie Bishop’s return, leaving her status uncertain.
Why are fans upset about the CBS update?
Because the update avoided addressing Ellie Bishop directly, prolonging years of speculation and frustration.
Did Emily Wickersham rule out returning to NCIS?
No official statement has ruled out a return, which keeps hope alive—but also fuels confusion.
Could Ellie Bishop return later in the season?
It’s possible, but without confirmation, fans fear any return may be minimal or poorly executed.
Why is Ellie Bishop’s character so important to NCIS?
She represents one of the show’s strongest modern-era character arcs and remains emotionally connected to both fans and the core team.
