Did NCIS’ Emily Wickersham Kickstart Her Career as a Youngster in The Sopranos?
NCIS star Emily Wickersham, best recognized for her role as Agent Ellie Bishop, began her career in the entertainment industry well before her time on the hit show, with a notable appearance in “The Sopranos.”
Although she made her mark on a global scale through the popular police procedural, it was “The Sopranos” that marked the beginning of her journey in the acting world.
The 39-year-old actress made her debut in NCIS during season 11, where she quickly became a significant part of the team, particularly in her on-screen romance with Agent Nick Torres, portrayed by Wilmer Valderrama. Nevertheless, her character, Bishop, bid farewell to the series at the conclusion of season 18 in May 2021.
Her character’s departure was part of an elaborate undercover operation, in which she was unexpectedly “fired” for leaking confidential documents, all in a bid to gain the trust of criminals. Her exit from NCIS was a pivotal moment that occurred after a passionate kiss with Torres.
Emily Wickersham’s acting career commenced years before her time on NCIS. In 2006, she made her acting debut on a sketch show featured on “Late Show with David Letterman.” The following year, she landed a role in “Gardener of Eden.”
However, it was her appearances in several episodes of HBO’s iconic series “The Sopranos” as Rhiannon Flammer that truly propelled her into Hollywood’s spotlight. In the drama, Rhiannon was initially dating one of AJ Soprano’s friends, Hernan O’Brien, and was also a friend of AJ Soprano (Robert Iler).
Rhiannon’s story took an unexpected turn when her character crossed paths with AJ again in a psychiatric hospital, following his suicide attempt, and Rhiannon, who was dealing with dietary issues. As they shared experiences in the hospital, they grew closer, leading to an intimate moment in a parked car in the woods. However, the car’s catalytic converter overheated, causing a fire and leading to a dramatic explosion, leaving AJ and Rhiannon in shock.
Her portrayal of Rhiannon in “The Sopranos” spanned just four episodes, marking the end of her time on the show.
Following her appearance in “The Sopranos,” Wickersham continued to build her career in Hollywood. She took on roles in various projects, including “The Bronx is Burning,” “The Gamekillers,” “Definitely, Maybe,” “Remember,” and “The Bridge,” among others.
At present, her IMDb page shows no new acting projects since her departure from NCIS. In December 2021, she welcomed her son, Cassius, and has since been focused on her role as a new mother.
