NCIS fans were thrilled to see Emily Wickersham reprise her role as Ellie Bishop in Season 23, following her brief return in Episode 9, “Heaven and Nature.”
Viewers quickly took to social media to share their excitement, flooding Wickersham’s Instagram with messages welcoming her back. Many fans expressed how much they had missed the character and how excited they were to see her again, even if only for a short time. Wickersham later shared some of these comments on her Instagram Stories, thanking fans for their support.
Executive producer Steven D. Binder revealed that the team had long hoped to bring Wickersham back. Once it became clear she was open to returning, they began developing a storyline that would reintroduce Bishop in a meaningful way.
Binder also teased that Bishop’s return would have a major impact on Nick Torres, who never got proper closure after her departure. However, he noted that Bishop has changed significantly since leaving, hinting that her experiences have made her more guarded and unpredictable.
Wickersham originally exited NCIS at the end of Season 18 in 2021, explaining in a later interview that she felt it was the right time to move on. Shortly after leaving, she discovered she was pregnant and shifted her focus to family life. She now shares two children with her husband, actor James Badge Dale.
Although her return may be temporary, Bishop’s reappearance has reignited excitement among fans and added a new layer of intrigue to the current season.