Emily Wickersham’s return to NCIS as Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop is stirring mixed emotions among fans. While her surprise comeback in Season 23 sparked excitement, showrunner Steven D. Binder has revealed that Bishop’s new arc may be far from comforting.
According to Binder, Bishop has spent years on dangerous overseas missions since leaving the series in 2021—work that has deeply changed her. “She is not the same person,” he explained, hinting at trauma, loss, and morally complex decisions. Her return places her under suspicion for an apparent wrongdoing, setting up a storyline rooted in mystery rather than nostalgia.
Binder stressed that the real question isn’t whether Bishop did something wrong, but why she did it. Still, the darker direction may disappoint fans hoping for a warmer reunion when NCIS returns from hiatus in March.
