After 20+ years on the air, NCIS has seen many cast changes. While exits like Gibbs, Ziva, Tony, and Abby have been widely discussed, Emily Wickersham’s departure as Ellie Bishop hasn’t gotten the same attention. Introduced after Ziva, Bishop transitioned from the NSA to NCIS with help from McGee, Gibbs, and DiNozzo, eventually becoming a core team member.

Her unexpected departure in 2021 disclosed that she had been preparing for a protracted undercover mission. She hasn’t appeared since – but NCIS season 23 hints that could change.

Season 23 Hints at Bishop’s Return
Sean Murray recently teased the return of a “familiar face… who hasn’t been seen in a very long time.” While he didn’t name anyone, CBS later released the synopsis for the season 23 midseason finale. The episode “Heaven and Nature” follows Knight on her first NCIS: Elite mission: tracking down a former team member. Many past agents fit, but Bishop’s undercover status makes her the most logical candidate.

Emily Wickersham’s Recent NCIS Connections Add Fuel
In October, NCIS: Origins co-showrunner David J. North posted photos of Wickersham visiting him at Paramount. Though Origins is a prequel and unlikely to include Bishop, the timing of her visit supports the idea she may return to the flagship show. Combined with the season’s hints, all signs point toward a likely reappearance from Bishop – the last agent Gibbs truly mentored.