After Cote de Pablo departed from NCIS in Season 11, Emily Wickersham stepped in as Ziva David’s replacement, taking on the role of NSA analyst Ellie Bishop. Wickersham stayed with the show for eight seasons, eventually making her exit in the Season 18 finale, “Rule 91.” Three years later, she opened up about the challenges of adjusting to life after leaving the series, describing that phase as both “wonderful and weird.”
During an appearance on the “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch” podcast with Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, Wickersham reflected on her transition away from NCIS. When de Pablo asked how long it took for the reality of not returning to the set to sink in, Wickersham explained that it was a gradual process. Just a month after leaving the show, she discovered she was pregnant, which only added to the whirlwind of change. Adjusting to life outside of NCIS, where filming consumes much of your time, was a significant shift for her.
Wickersham also shared that shortly after leaving the show, she moved to New York to be with her boyfriend, making the transition even more surreal. Despite the challenges, she felt it was the right time to move on from the show, even if the process felt overwhelming at first.
While Wickersham hasn’t returned to acting since her time on NCIS, fans remain hopeful that she might reprise her role as Ellie Bishop someday. After all, Cote de Pablo eventually returned as Ziva, so anything is possible. Bishop’s departure for an undercover mission left the door open for a potential return to reunite with her NCIS team.
In the meantime, fans can relive Wickersham’s time on NCIS by streaming the series on Paramount+. The Season 22 premiere airs on Monday, October 14, followed by the new prequel series, NCIS: Origins.
