Stepping into a long-running television juggernaut is no small task, and Emily Wickersham knows that better than most. When she joined NCIS in Season 11 as Special Agent Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop, the actress was fully aware she was walking into one of the most devoted fanbases on television — and replacing a beloved character in the process.
Looking back, Wickersham has openly admitted that joining the series was intimidating. “It was really scary,” she once said, recalling her early days on set. NCIS was already more than a decade old, with established rhythms, tight-knit cast relationships, and millions of loyal viewers who were skeptical of change. For a newcomer, the pressure to fit in — and win over fans — was immense.
Yet Wickersham’s approach paid off. Instead of trying to mimic what came before, she helped shape Bishop into a distinctly different kind of agent: analytical, quietly determined, and emotionally layered. Over eight seasons, Bishop evolved from a desk-bound NSA analyst into a confident field agent, earning respect both within the team and among viewers.
By the time Wickersham exited the series in Season 18, her once-scary leap into NCIS had become one of the most defining chapters of her career — proof that taking risks can lead to lasting impact.
