After four years of wondering, Ellie Bishop is officially returning to NCIS. The character, played by Emily Wickersham, left under a cloud of mystery in the Season 18 finale, and her upcoming comeback in Season 23 promises to shake up the team, especially her former partner, Nick Torres. Fans have long hoped for answers about Bishop’s sudden departure and the romantic tension left hanging with Torres, and the new season is set to deliver.
The stage is set for an emotional and complicated reunion. Recent hints from the show and a real-life visit by Wickersham to the NCIS set have fueled strong rumors that her return is not just a possibility but a planned story event.
Why Ellie Bishop’s Sudden Exit Left Fans Guessing
Ellie Bishop was not a typical NCIS agent. When she joined in Season 11, she was an NSA analyst with unique habits—she sat on the floor during briefings and snacked to help her think. Over seven seasons, she grew into a skilled field agent, but her sudden exit in Season 18 was a shock.
In the finale titled “Rule 91,” Bishop confessed to leaking classified NSA files and resigned from the agency in disgrace. However, viewers saw the full picture: she was deliberately ruining her own career and reputation. This was a necessary step to go undercover on a dangerous mission with Odette Malone, a former contact of Ziva David’s. Her exit was made even more dramatic by a final, emotional moment with Nick Torres. Just before she vanished, the two shared a kiss, confirming years of unspoken romantic feelings and leaving their story painfully unresolved.
The Unfinished Story Between Bishop and Torres
The relationship between Ellie Bishop and Nick Torres, often called “Ellick” by fans, was a slow-building highlight of the series. Their bond grew from a professional partnership into a deep, personal connection filled with near-misses and unspoken attraction.
Key moments that defined their relationship include:
- Going undercover as a couple in Season 15, which included their first kiss while in character.
- Supporting each other through personal crises, like when Torres struggled with grief.
- A major disagreement where Bishop accused Torres of murder, creating a rift that took time to heal.
- Their final scenes together in Season 18, where a heartfelt conversation in an abandoned jail cell was followed by their goodbye kiss.
That final kiss made her sudden disappearance especially painful for Torres, who was left with no explanation or closure.
Clues and Hints That Point to a Major Comeback
Several signs suggest Ellie Bishop’s return is a central part of NCIS Season 23. The new season has focused on revisiting the show’s past, including the launch of the NCIS: Origins prequel and the Tony & Ziva spinoff series.
A significant clue came from actor Sean Murray, who plays Tim McGee. He hinted that someone who has been gone for a long time would be returning. Furthermore, the description for the season’s fall finale mentions the team hunting down a former team member, which fits Bishop’s profile perfectly.
Adding to the speculation, actress Emily Wickersham was recently seen back at the NCIS production offices. She visited the set of NCIS: Origins, where she reunited with former producer and current co-showrunner David J. North. While this was a social visit related to the prequel series, it reminded fans of her connection to the NCIS universe and stoked hopes for an on-screen return.
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How Bishop’s Return Will Shake Up the NCIS Team
Ellie Bishop’s comeback will force the team to confront a complicated past. Her colleagues, particularly Tim McGee, felt betrayed when she confessed to being a leaker. Learning the truth—that she was a patriot on a secret mission—will challenge everything they thought they knew.
The most intense reunion will be with Nick Torres. Their unfinished personal business is a major story waiting to be told. However, Torres’s life has moved on. Season 23 has introduced a new love triangle involving Torres, Jessica Knight, and Jimmy Palmer. This new complication means a potential reunion with Bishop would be fraught with emotional conflict and difficult choices.
If the team is tasked with hunting Bishop down, it creates an immediate moral dilemma. Will they follow orders or help their old friend? This scenario would test loyalties and force everyone to decide if they can trust the woman they once called a teammate.
For years, NCIS fans have wanted to know what happened to Ellie Bishop after she walked away. Her return in Season 23 is set to answer those questions while reopening old wounds and creating new drama for the entire team, especially with Nick Torres.
