The fall finale of NCIS ended with a twist that caught viewers off guard, as the series quietly brought back a key character.
Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham)’s return in the closing moments immediately raised questions about her role in the story moving forward. Showrunner Steven D. Binder has since shared details about how the surprise came together.
Steven D. Binder explains Emily Wickersham’s return as Ellie Bishop in NCIS Season 23
Emily Wickersham’s return as Ellie Bishop in NCIS Season 23 has shocked viewers. Bishop’s reappearance is revealed in the closing moments of the fall finale, when Jessica Knight learns that her first assignment with NCIS Elite involves tracking down a former agent, Bishop herself. A brief final shot confirms that Bishop has been observing the team from a distance. Now, showrunner Steven D. Binder has said that Wickersham’s return was carefully planned.
Speaking to TVLine, she said, “I mean, [Bishop] was part of the pitch at the beginning of the season… We’ve been talking about it. Now we want to actually do this, and then whether or not it’s going to happen, you don’t ever really know, because timing is a big piece of it.”
He explained that Wickersham’s return was never guaranteed until those logistical challenges were resolved. The showrunner said, “[Wickersham] lives not here anymore, so that makes it difficult. But she was game. She wanted to come back.”
Binder emphasized that Bishop is no longer the same agent viewers last saw, saying, “She is not the same person.” He explained that Bishop has continued working in high-risk international missions since leaving NCIS. “A lot has happened to her, and that will go a long way to explain why we are looking for her in a way that suggests she’s done something wrong,” he said.
The showrunner confirmed that Bishop has committed an act that places her under investigation. However, he noted that the series will focus on understanding the motivation behind them. Bishop’s return also carries personal implications, particularly for Nick. Binder referenced Bishop’s decision to leave without explaining the truth of her mission to Nick, allowing him to believe a false story.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
