Emily Wickersham, known for playing Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop on the hit CBS series NCIS, recently opened up about her reasons for leaving the show in 2021. Wickersham joined the cast in 2011 and spent eight seasons as Bishop before announcing her departure. This led many fans to wonder what caused the actress to exit her long-running role.
In a recent podcast interview, Wickersham shared insights into her choice. Contrary to initial speculation, getting pregnant did not directly influence her decision. “I left the show, and then I found out I was pregnant a month later,” Wickersham explained on the ‘Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch’ podcast. This timeline shows that her exit predated learning of the pregnancy.
The actress indicated she primarily sought a change after years in the same part. “After playing Bishop for eight seasons, I felt it was time for a change,” Wickersham said, echoing reasons given by former co-stars like Michael Weatherly, who played Tony DiNozzo for over a decade. Her character’s storyline sent Bishop undercover with the CIA following leaked documents. This allowed Wickersham’s exit while giving closure to Bishop’s romance with fellow agent Nick Torres.
Wickersham’s departure brought further shifting of NCIS’ cast, which has seen turnover as the show evolves over 18 years. Her comments provide insight for fans and demonstrate the natural career progressions of actors. While Bishop’s absence impacted the team’s dynamic, new cast members like Agent Jessica Knight have been welcomed additions as NCIS continues adapting to a changing television landscape.
