For eight seasons, Special Agent Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop, portrayed by Emily Wickersham, was a crucial part of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. Her sudden departure in season 18 left fans wondering: Why Did Bishop Leave Ncis? As a core member of the cast since season 11, Bishop had become a fan favorite, making her exit all the more impactful. While Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) has since joined and become a valued team member, the question of why Emily Wickersham’s Eleanor Bishop departed the series remains a point of interest for many viewers.
The NCIS universe has seen many cast changes over its long run. Just as Bishop herself filled the void left by Ziva David, these transitions are part of the show’s evolution. Similar to previous cast departures, Emily Wickersham did not initially provide a detailed explanation for her exit from NCIS. However, years later, she offered insights into her decision, clarifying the reasons behind Bishop’s departure.
The Real Reason Behind Emily Wickersham’s NCIS Exit
Personal Reasons and the Desire to Move On
While it was widely speculated that Emily Wickersham’s departure from NCIS was due to personal reasons, the actress offered more clarity on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast, hosted by former NCIS stars Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. Wickersham revealed, “I left the show, I found out I was pregnant a month later.” This statement confirmed that while personal reasons were indeed the driving force, the timing with her pregnancy was coincidental rather than causal.
The key takeaway from Wickersham’s explanation is that she was ready for a change. After dedicating eight years to portraying Ellie Bishop, she felt it was time to move on to new chapters in her life. This sentiment echoes reasons given by other long-term cast members who have departed NCIS, such as Michael Weatherly’s exit as Tony DiNozzo. It wasn’t a matter of dissatisfaction with the show, but rather a natural desire for professional and personal evolution after a significant period in one role.
Coincidence with Pregnancy
Initial assumptions linked Emily Wickersham leaving NCIS directly to her pregnancy, especially as she announced her pregnancy shortly after her exit. However, Wickersham’s podcast appearance clarified this timeline. Her decision to leave NCIS predated the discovery of her pregnancy. She was already contemplating her departure, seeking new opportunities and experiences. The pregnancy, while a significant life event, occurred after she had already made the choice to leave the series. In essence, she was open to new possibilities, and motherhood became one of those exciting new paths.
How NCIS Season 18 Handled Bishop’s Departure
Scandalous Exit and CIA Involvement
Bishop’s exit from NCIS was far from quiet; it was written as a dramatic and somewhat controversial storyline. The plot involved Odette Malone, a CIA operative with ties to Ziva David’s clandestine activities following her faked death. Bishop’s departure was orchestrated to facilitate her joining Malone in these shadowy operations. To make this transition believable and provide Bishop with the necessary cover, the writers crafted a scenario where Bishop leaked NSA documents.
This act of professional sabotage effectively discredited Bishop within NCIS, making it impossible for her to continue as a special agent. This scandalous exit allowed the character to transition into the world of covert operations with Odette Malone, offering a plausible, albeit dramatic, reason for her departure from the NCIS team and the Major Case Response Team.
Impact on Bishop and Torres’ Relationship
One significant casualty of Bishop’s exit storyline was her developing relationship with Nick Torres. The “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic between Bishop and Torres had been a source of romantic tension and fan engagement for some time. Bishop’s sudden and secretive departure brought this potential romance to an abrupt halt.
However, before leaving her old life behind, Bishop shared a meaningful kiss with Torres. This moment served as confirmation of her genuine feelings for him and provided a poignant, albeit bittersweet, farewell for fans who were invested in their relationship. The kiss suggested unresolved emotions and left the door slightly ajar for potential future storylines, even as Bishop embarked on a new, clandestine path.
Life After NCIS for Emily Wickersham
Family Life and Stepping Away from Acting
Since leaving NCIS in 2021, Emily Wickersham has embraced family life. She welcomed a son with her partner, James Badge Dale, in 2021, and the couple married in September 2024, followed shortly by the birth of their second child a month later. While Wickersham mentioned seeking new opportunities upon leaving NCIS, her focus shifted towards family and personal life.
Notably, Emily Wickersham has not taken on any acting roles since her departure from the series. This suggests a deliberate step back from the demanding world of Hollywood and a prioritization of her family and life in New York. For Wickersham, “something else” after NCIS turned out to be motherhood and building a family, a fulfilling new chapter away from the spotlight of television acting.
Previous Career and New Chapter
Before joining NCIS in 2013, Emily Wickersham had built a resume with smaller roles in films like Definitely, Maybe, Remember Me, and I Am Number Four, as well as appearances in television series such as The Sopranos and Gossip Girl. NCIS represented a significant, long-term commitment in her career.
Her decision to leave NCIS and move to New York signals a desire for a different pace of life and a break from the demanding schedule of network television. Wickersham’s comments about wanting to “step back and relax” after years on the show highlight the personal reasons driving her choice. Her current chapter is focused on family and a quieter life away from the hectic nature of the entertainment industry, a stark contrast to the high-stakes world of NCIS.
In conclusion, Emily Wickersham’s departure as Ellie Bishop from NCIS was driven by personal reasons and a readiness to explore new phases in her life, a decision that coincided with, but was not caused by, her pregnancy. Her exit was crafted into a dramatic storyline involving espionage and personal sacrifice, leaving a lasting impact on the series and its viewers.
