Is it possible that Eleanor Bishop may return to NCIS? Continue reading to find out.
Eleanor Raye “Ellie” Bishop is a former NSA analyst, former NCIS Special Agent, and NCIS Major Case Response Team member. We know that Emily Wickersham’s character was last seen on the show in NCIS Season 18 finale, where Bishop resigned from NCIS permanently in May 2021 to begin a long-term covert operation with Odette Malone.
After the characters exit from the series, many fans have wondered if the star will ever return to the series in future seasons. As NCIS Season 20 is set to make its debut later this year. Many rumors surrounding Eleanor Bishop’s return have gained momentum as NCIS fans believe that she might finally make a surprise comeback in the next season.
The last thing the viewers got to see was when she left the team under the guise of being disgraced after releasing an NSA document. This, however, was really a pretense for an undercover operation. Moreover, Emily Wickersham also confirmed in an Instagram post that the Season 18 finale was, in fact, her final episode, putting an end to rumors and confirming back in May 2021 that she would be departing the show.
According to Deadline, Emily Wickersham, who portrayed NCIS Special Agent Eleanor Bishop in the CBS drama, expressed her thoughts about her sudden exit from the series as she stated, “Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been.”
She also added, “This cast, this crew, are top-notch. I can’t say enough kind words about this group that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for close to 8 years now and 172 episodes later. This business is finicky and weird and consistency is a rarity. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of a show where I got to show up and act and laugh and learn with wonderful people. A moment in time I surely won’t forget. Thank you CBS and NCIS for including me in a part of television history. Time goes fast. Eat it up but chew slowly. ”
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Despite the fact that Bishop is no longer a member of the team, her storyline was left unresolved, allowing the possibility for her to come back to complete her character arc in NCIS Season 20. The viewers may also see her return and re-join the squad on a regular basis, which would be a huge relief for Torres.
He has been struggling with emotions of rejection seen in the past episodes, which are pretty evident in the plot that he had just expressed his affections for her. Thus, he was also heartbroken when she replied to him that she’d be gone for a long time. Take a look at some fan’s reactions to having Eleanor Bishop back for NCIS Season 20 below:
FROM NCIS SEASON 20 I EXPECT ELEANOR BISHOP TO COME BACK AND ELLICK TO BE CANON
AND NOTHING ELSE
— Lucia (@ffsfelipe_) March 31, 2022
@EmilyWickersham all your fans miss having you on the show of NCIS as Eleanor Bishop on the show
— Shady lane homes LLC (@shady_llc) May 16, 2022
Things were left a little open-ended and have major potential to explore the plot further. As some Reddit users speculated that Eleanor Bishop could make a cameo in the forthcoming season, even if it’s only for a few episodes. Take a look at some of the comments which reflect the speculation among fans about the character’s possible return to the series.
One fan wrote, “You know how directors always want to keep their doors open to actors and how she left with an unfinished story, do you think we could at least see a 1-2 episode cameo in like season 22 or 23?”
The other fan followed up with the conversation, stating, “I honestly think it’s pretty likely she’ll come back eventually. It’s not like she has major issues with the producers or something.”
Moreover, another comment stated that “She stepped out to have a kid, and now the kid has been born,” it was noted. “Give it a season or two and she may come back for a couple of episodes to resolve this plotline.”
These comments have the possibility to turn out to be true, which can lead to acknowledgment of the actress. In addition to this, many fans know that Emily Wickersham had a baby in December. At the time, she shared pictures and quoted, “Welcome to the world. Cassius Wickersham Dale was born on 12/30/21 just in time to join the party to ring in the New Year. You are more than @jamesbadgedale and I could ever have imagined. We are so in love with you.”
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While the actress took a break from the role to start a family, there’s a chance she’ll return after the birth of her kid. It seems a possibility that she can reprise her role if she wants to make a comeback after taking a break which lies totally up to her decision. We’d like to emphasize that this is merely speculation; the network will announce official details in the coming months if it is accurate. Fans should wait patiently for verified news rather than pure conjecture.
When a series runs for 19 seasons, which is a very long time, the themes of the show tend to shift a lot. The show’s grandeur has withstood the test of time, despite numerous cast changes. It’s intriguing that regardless of whether they’re old or new to the show, they build a fantastic dynamic together. So, it will be great to see her return if NCIS Season 20 turns out to be the very last season of the franchise to complete her character arc on a good note with the rest of the characters to get all the answers for the loopholes in the plot.
Catch up on the previous season while you wait for more NCIS Season 20 updates.