‘It Was Wonderful And Weird’: NCIS’ Emily Wickersham Opens Up About How Much Of An Adjustment It Was Leaving The CBS Show After Eight Seasons

‘It Was Wonderful And Weird’: NCIS’ Emily Wickersham Opens Up About How Much Of An Adjustment It Was Leaving The CBS Show After Eight Seasons

After hearing about Emily Wickersham‘s heartfelt interview on Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, I found myself reminiscing about the good old days of Ellie Bishop on NCIS. It’s incredible to think that she left her mark on the series for eight seasons and even more so when you consider how much her life has changed since then.


Following Cote de Pablo’s departure from NCIS during Season 11, Emily Wickersham stepped in to play Ellie Bishop, a character who was introduced as the replacement for Ziva David. Bishop is an NSA analyst who joined the Naval Criminal Investigative Service after meeting Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and became a part of his team. Similar to her predecessor, Wickersham remained on the highly-rated CBS series for eight seasons before leaving in the Season 18 finale titled “Rule 91”. Three years later, Wickersham shared that departing from NCIS was quite an adjustment, describing the experience as “wonderful and strange”.

Wickersham recently engaged in conversation with the hosts of “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch,” specifically Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, both currently working on their new spinoff series titled “NCIS: Tony & Ziva.” In a podcast discussion, de Pablo inquired from Wickersham about the moment when it became real for her that she no longer had to return to the set of “NCIS,” to which Wickersham replied.

It took some time before I realized it, but I eventually figured out I was pregnant, about a month after leaving the show. During this period, I needed some time to unwind and relax, as well as to contemplate how my life would change without work since being on NCIS completely consumed my life. Every day was filled with NCIS, leaving little room for other activities. This shift was quite an adjustment for me.

Because NCIS is a TV show that usually consists of 20-24 episodes per season, Emily Wickersham is correct in saying that acting on this series requires a significant amount of time due to the extended shooting hours. Given this, it’s not surprising that she needed some adjustment after NCIS was no longer a regular part of her daily routine, and when she discovered she was pregnant shortly afterward, she also had to relocate to another part of the United States. The actress added:

Experiencing pregnancy was an extraordinary phase, and shortly afterward, I found myself moving to New York due to my boyfriend residing here. That period felt both wondrous and peculiar. Indeed, it can seem odd to depart from something deeply rooted in your life for such a long time.

Reflecting on my eight-season journey with NCIS as Ellie Bishop, I’ve come to a significant moment where it feels like turning a page in a book. After almost a decade of being part of one of television’s most beloved procedurals, I find myself ready to move forward and explore new chapters.

Without a doubt, it transpired. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely prepared, but it unfolded in such an extraordinary way that it was simply breathtaking. Initially, I was eager to depart from the performance. The moment seemed right, and I felt ready to explore something new. It appears that this new experience I was destined to embark on was precisely what transpired. Therefore, it turned out for the best.

Emily Wickersham’s last acting role was in NCIS, but with the series heading into its 22nd season this fall as part of the 2024 TV schedule, there’s a chance it could run for another season or more. Maybe one day she might decide to return as Ellie Bishop, either for a special appearance or a recurring role. It’s worth noting that Cote de Pablo eventually came back for the Season 16 finale and some episodes in Season 17.

Previously, Bishop was embarking on a secret operation that necessitated damaging her standing as an NCIS agent. It’d be ideal if this operation concluded or Bishop chose to step away from covert work, though she may not wish to rejoin NCIS afterwards. In any case, there’s potential for Bishop to return to Washington D.C., reconnect with Nick Torres (played by Wilder Valderrama) and the rest of her professional circle.

Currently, you have the opportunity to reminisce about Emily Wickersham’s tenure on NCIS by streaming those episodes using a Paramount+ subscription. The Season 22 premiere is set for Monday, October 14, and it will be followed immediately by the new prequel NCIS: Origins.

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2024-08-28 16:09