The Shocking Truth Behind Why Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop Left NCIS

As a key member of the NCIS cast, Emily Wickersham’s departure as Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop left fans wondering why she chose to leave the series. Joining the show in season 11, Bishop quickly became a beloved character, making a significant impact on the Major Case Response Team and its dedicated audience. Her exit after eight seasons left a noticeable void, despite the strong performance of her replacement, Katrina Law’s Jessica Knight.

Throughout NCIS’s long run, many core members of Gibbs’ team have moved on, paving the way for new characters to step in. Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop took over after Ziva David left the team, a transition that mirrored Ziva’s own entry following Caitlin Todd’s shocking death. While such changes are not new to NCIS, Wickersham’s exit remained somewhat mysterious, with the actress only recently opening up about her decision to leave.

Emily Wickersham’s Decision to Leave NCIS Explained

Initially, it was known that Emily Wickersham left NCIS for personal reasons, but she hadn’t provided many details until three years later. During an appearance on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast, hosted by former NCIS stars Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, Wickersham shed light on her departure. She revealed, “I left the show, I found out I was pregnant a month later.” While her pregnancy led to speculation that it was the reason for her exit, Wickersham clarified that the timing was coincidental.

Ultimately, Wickersham confirmed that her decision to leave was because she was ready to move on after eight years on the show. There was no ill will towards the series; rather, she felt it was time to explore new opportunities, similar to Michael Weatherly’s exit as Tony DiNozzo. Her departure opened the door to motherhood, but it wasn’t the driving force behind her decision to step away from NCIS.

How NCIS Season 18 Wrote Out Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop

Bishop’s exit from NCIS was dramatic and controversial. After reconnecting with Odette Malone, a CIA agent who had worked with Ziva on covert missions, Bishop decided to join Malone on top-secret assignments. To facilitate this move, Bishop had to discredit herself, claiming that she leaked NSA documents, which forced her to resign as an NCIS agent. This exit brought an abrupt end to her “will-they-won’t-they” relationship with Nick Torres, though she did kiss him before leaving, confirming her feelings for him.

This storyline effectively closed Bishop’s chapter on NCIS, leaving fans with a memorable, albeit bittersweet, farewell to the character.