The sudden farewell of Special Agent Ellie Bishop shook up NCIS fans, stirring a whirlwind of speculations, theories, and deep emotional responses. Here’s a breakdown of what led to her exit—both on-screen and behind the scenes—and what it meant for the show’s dynamics and her co-star Nick Torres.
On-Screen: The Mission Behind the Mistake
Ellie Bishop’s exit was framed as a scandalous breach of protocol. In the Season 18 finale (aired May 25, 2021), Bishop was blamed for leaking a confidential NSA document that had been planted years ago. But this wasn’t her betrayal—instead, it was a calculated deception designed to burn her NCIS credentials and send her deep undercover with CIA operative Odette Malone (primetimer.com).
In that dramatic moment, Bishop kissed Torres goodbye, revealing both her affection and the painful necessity of her departure (primetimer.com). This emotional farewell still resonated in Season 22, when Torres begins to date again—an indication that he’s trying to move past Bishop’s exit (screenrant.com).
Real Life: An Actress Ready for a New Chapter
Off-screen, the departure was Emily Wickersham’s decision. In May 2021, she posted a heartfelt Instagram message wrapping up her eight-year journey: “Hangin this hat and jacket up… for close to 8 years now and 172 episodes later… Eat it up but chew slowly.” (primetimer.com).
On the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast, she shared more candidly, “I left the show, I found out I was pregnant a month later… I was ready to leave the show. It was time and I was ready to move on.” (ew.com).
She also described how exhausting the full-time commitment had been, saying that NCIS consumed every day—making her abrupt and reflective exit feel both exhilarating and strange (collider.com). Later, she focused on family, got married in September 2024, and had her second child (yahoo.com).
What’s Next? Bishop Returns… Sort Of
Nearly five years after her exit, fans were surprised and delighted when Bishop reappeared in Season 23’s midseason, specifically in the episode “Her,” airing March 3, 2026 (ew.com).
Showrunner Steven D. Binder revealed that Bishop has been engaged in a grueling covert mission overseas, and her resurfacing triggers complex tensions—especially with Torres, who feels both betrayed and emotionally unsettled (cinemablend.com).
Fans React: Diverse Emotions and Resilient Hope
Reactions vary. On Reddit, some fans expressed frustration over how Bishop was written off, saying she left on bad terms and felt like “a different character entirely” (reddit.com). Others acknowledged Wickersham’s personal reasons—pregnancy and desiring change—as very human motivations (reddit.com).
Summary: What Happened to Bishop on NCIS?
- On-screen exit: Bishop staged a disgrace via a fabricated NSA leak to go undercover for the CIA—with a heartbreaking kiss as farewell.
- Actor’s choice: Emily Wickersham chose to step away after eight years, followed by a pregnancy, marriage, and motherhood.
- Return tease: Bishop re-emerged in Season 23 with new layers, stirring unresolved emotions with Torres.
- Fan sentiment: A blend of emotional frustration, support, and hope for more closure or appearances.
“I was ready to leave the show. It was time and I was ready to move on.” — Emily Wickersham
Fans remain torn—some miss her presence, others question the abruptness. But Bishop isn’t gone yet, and her return sets the stage for potentially rich storytelling ahead.
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