Why did Bishop Leave NCIS?

Signs of Ellie Bishop’s Departure

Fans of NCIS were shocked to learn that Emily Wickersham’s character, Ellie Bishop, would be leaving the show after season 18. There were a few signs leading up to her departure, including:

• The last episode Bishop appeared in was “Blown Away”, which aired on May 25, 2021.
• In the episode, Bishop was sent on an undercover mission and left NCIS to pursue the mission’s objectives.
• This storyline left Bishop’s future on the show uncertain, and fans began to speculate about whether she would return.
• In June 2021, it was officially announced that Emily Wickersham would be leaving the show, and Bishop’s departure was confirmed.

Before the official announcement, there were some rumors and hints about Wickersham leaving the show. However, the actress and the showrunners did not provide any concrete information, leading to speculation among fans. Some fans speculated that Bishop’s storyline in season 18 was leading up to her departure, while others were surprised by the news.

Possible Reasons for Bishop Leaving

There are several reasons that Emily Wickersham’s character, Ellie Bishop, may have left NCIS after season 18. Some of the possible reasons include:

Creative Differences with the Showrunners

It’s possible that Wickersham and the showrunners had creative differences about the direction of Bishop’s character or the show as a whole. Actors and showrunners often have differing opinions about storylines, character arcs, and other creative elements. If Wickersham and the showrunners couldn’t come to an agreement, it could have contributed to her decision to leave.

Personal Reasons for Leaving

Actors may also leave shows for personal reasons, such as family obligations or health concerns. While there’s no public information about Wickersham’s personal life that would explain her departure, it’s possible that she wanted to take a break from the show to focus on other priorities.

Career Opportunities Outside of NCIS

Another possible reason for Wickersham’s departure is that she was offered other career opportunities outside of NCIS. Actors often leave long-running shows to pursue other acting projects or opportunities in other industries, such as producing or directing.

Other Potential Factors

There may be other factors that contributed to Wickersham’s departure that we aren’t aware of. For example, there could have been behind-the-scenes conflicts or issues that led to her decision to leave. Until Wickersham or the showrunners provide more information, it’s impossible to know for sure why Bishop left NCIS.

Creative Differences with the Showrunners

If Emily Wickersham and the showrunners had creative differences about the direction of her character or the show as a whole, it wouldn’t be the first time that cast members have left NCIS due to similar reasons. Some previous instances of cast members leaving the show include:

• Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva David, left the show after season 11 due to creative differences with the showrunners. De Pablo reportedly wanted more creative control over her character’s storyline, but the showrunners were not willing to give her that control.
• Michael Weatherly, who played Tony DiNozzo, left the show after season 13 due to creative differences with the showrunners. Weatherly reportedly wanted to explore other acting opportunities, but there were also rumors of conflicts with the show’s writing and direction.

It’s possible that Wickersham had similar issues with the show’s writing or direction, although there’s no public information to confirm this. In interviews and statements, the showrunners have praised Wickersham’s work and expressed gratitude for her contributions to the show. However, they have not provided any specific information about her departure or the reasons behind it. It’s also possible that Wickersham or the showrunners will provide more information in the future.

Personal Reasons for Leaving

Another possible reason for Emily Wickersham’s departure from NCIS could be personal reasons. There are a few factors related to Bishop’s character arc and development, as well as her relationships with other characters, that could have influenced Wickersham’s decision to leave.

Bishop’s Character Arc and Development

Throughout her time on the show, Bishop underwent significant character development. She went from being a computer analyst to becoming a full-fledged field agent, and she had several important storylines, including a romance with fellow agent Nick Torres. It’s possible that Wickersham felt that Bishop’s character arc had reached its natural conclusion and that there was nowhere else for the character to go.

Relationship with Other Characters

Bishop had close relationships with several other characters on the show, including Leroy Gibbs, Timothy McGee, and Nick Torres. These relationships were an important part of Bishop’s character development and could have influenced Wickersham’s decision to leave. If she felt that there was no more story left to tell with these characters or that the show was not doing justice to these relationships, it could have contributed to her decision to leave.

Any Real-Life Events That May Have Influenced Her Decision

It’s possible that real-life events may have influenced Wickersham’s decision to leave NCIS. For example, she may have wanted to spend more time with her family or pursue other interests outside of acting. It’s also possible that there were behind-the-scenes conflicts or issues that led to her decision to leave, but until Wickersham or the showrunners provide more information, it’s impossible to know for sure.

Career Opportunities Outside of NCIS

Emily Wickersham, the actress who played Ellie Bishop on NCIS, may have left the show to pursue other career opportunities. Here are a few factors related to her career that could have influenced her decision:

Other Acting Roles for Emily Wickersham

Wickersham has appeared in several movies and TV shows throughout her career including Gone, I Am Number Four, and The Sopranos. It’s possible that she wanted to pursue more acting opportunities outside of NCIS, either in movies or other TV shows. Alternatively, she may have wanted to take a break from acting altogether.

Potential Conflicts with Scheduling

If Wickersham did want to pursue other acting opportunities, it’s possible that scheduling conflicts with NCIS could have made it difficult for her to take on other projects. NCIS films for several months out of the year, which could limit the availability of its cast members for other projects.

Wickersham’s Reasons for Leaving

In interviews and statements, Wickersham has not provided any specific information about her reasons for leaving the show. However, she has expressed gratitude for her time on NCIS and for the opportunity to play Ellie Bishop. It’s possible that she simply felt that it was time to move on and explore other opportunities, either in acting or in other areas of her life.

Other Potential Factors

There are several other potential factors that may have contributed to Emily Wickersham’s decision to leave NCIS:

Fan Reaction to Bishop’s Character

Bishop’s character received mixed reviews from fans of the show. While some viewers enjoyed her character arc and relationship with Nick Torres, others found her to be less interesting or engaging than other characters on the show. It’s possible that negative fan reactions to Bishop’s character could have influenced Wickersham’s decision to leave the show.

Ratings or Other Business-Related Reasons for Her Departure

NCIS has been on the air for over 18 seasons, and like any long-running TV show, its ratings have fluctuated over time. It’s possible that declining ratings or other business-related factors could have contributed to Wickersham’s decision to leave the show. However, without more information from Wickersham or the showrunners, it’s impossible to know for sure.

Any Other Relevant Factors That May Have Contributed to Her Leaving

There may be other relevant factors that contributed to Wickersham’s decision to leave NCIS that are not publicly known. For example, there may have been behind-the-scenes conflicts or issues that led to her departure. Alternatively, she may have simply felt that it was time to move on from the show and explore other opportunities in her career or personal life. Until Wickersham or the showrunners provide more information, it’s impossible to know for sure.

Impact of Bishop Leaving

Emily Wickersham’s departure from NCIS has had several potential impacts on the show and its audience:

Reaction from Fans and the Media

Wickersham’s departure from NCIS generated significant buzz in the media and among fans of the show. Some fans were disappointed to see her character leave, while others felt that it was time for a change. The media also covered her departure extensively, with many outlets speculating about the reasons behind her decision to leave.

The Future of NCIS Without Bishop

NCIS has been on the air for over 18 seasons, and has gone through many changes in its cast and storyline over the years. While some fans may have been sad to see Bishop leave, it’s likely that the show will continue to be successful without her. The showrunners have already introduced new characters to the show in recent seasons, such as Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), who may help fill the void left by Bishop’s departure.

How Her Departure Was Handled Within the Show

Bishop’s departure from NCIS was handled within the show in a relatively understated way. In the season 18 finale, Bishop was seen driving away from the NCIS headquarters, leaving a letter behind for Torres. While her departure was not explicitly explained, it was clear that she was leaving the team and would not be returning. The show did not dwell on her departure, instead focusing on the remaining characters and their ongoing storylines.

Speculations About Bishop’s Return

While Emily Wickersham’s departure from NCIS seemed to be final, there has been some speculation about the possibility of her character returning to the show:

Possibility of Her Character Returning in Future Seasons

It’s possible that Bishop could return to NCIS in future seasons. The show has a history of bringing back characters who were thought to be gone for good, such as Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). Additionally, Bishop’s departure from NCIS was left somewhat open-ended, which could leave the door open for her to return in the future.

Reasons for Her Return

If Bishop were to return to NCIS, there could be several potential reasons for her comeback. For example, her character could return to help the team with a difficult case, or to tie up loose ends from her previous storyline. Alternatively, her return could be tied to a larger plotline involving the show’s other characters.

How Her Return May Be Handled Within the Show

If Bishop were to return to NCIS, the showrunners would likely handle her comeback in a way that feels natural and fits with the show’s overall narrative. This could involve a buildup of hints and clues leading up to her return, or a sudden surprise reappearance. How her return would be received by fans would depend largely on how it’s handled by the showrunners.