The Real Reasons Why Bishop Left NCIS: 5 Shocking Facts About Emily Wickersham's Exit

The departure of Special Agent Eleanor Bishop (played by Emily Wickersham) from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) remains one of the most discussed and controversial exits in the show's long history. Her final episode, the Season 18 finale, titled "Rule 91," aired on May 25, 2021, and delivered a narrative shockwave that left both her teammates and millions of viewers utterly blindsided. What appeared to be a professional betrayal—leaking a classified NSA file—was in fact a calculated, deeper move, masking both a dramatic in-universe storyline and a significant personal decision by the actress herself.

As of December 2025, the full picture of Bishop’s exit is clearer, revealing a complex tapestry of creative choices and personal life shifts. The truth involves a deep-cover mission, a major relationship cliffhanger with Agent Nick Torres, and the actress's desire for a change of pace after nearly a decade on one of television's most demanding schedules.

Emily Wickersham: Biography and Professional Profile

Emily Kaiser Wickersham, the actress who brought Eleanor Bishop to life, has a compelling professional journey that led her to and then away from the NCIS universe.

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• Full Name: Emily Kaiser Wickersham
• Date of Birth: April 26, 1984
• Place of Birth: Kansas, United States
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• Career Start: Began her career in the early 2000s, with early roles in films and television.
• Major Roles Before NCIS: Appeared in The Sopranos, Gossip Girl, and the film I Am Number Four.
• NCIS Role: Special Agent Eleanor "Ellie" Bishop, an intelligent, initially quirky, and highly analytical former NSA analyst who joins the NCIS team.
• NCIS Tenure: Joined in Season 11 (2013) and departed in the Season 18 finale (2021). She appeared in 172 episodes.
• Post-NCIS Life: Wickersham has focused on her personal life, including the birth of her first child, and has expressed a desire to pursue other creative endeavors outside of the demanding network television schedule.
• Current Status: Largely maintaining a private life, occasionally sharing updates on social media, but no major television or film projects have been announced as of the latest updates.

The In-Universe Storyline: Bishop's Shocking Covert Operation

The fictional reason for Agent Bishop's departure was arguably one of the most dramatic and surprising exits in NCIS history, designed to give the character a heroic, albeit controversial, send-off. The narrative was carefully crafted to ensure her exit was both permanent for the time being and open-ended enough for a potential return.

1. Bishop's 'Betrayal' and the NSA Leak

In the Season 18 finale, Agent Bishop confessed to a massive breach of national security: leaking a classified National Security Agency (NSA) file a decade prior. This confession was a calculated move. It was revealed that this was a ruse—a necessary step to make her next move believable to the outside world, including her own team. The "leak" was the cover story to sever her ties with NCIS and the U.S. government completely.

2. The Long-Term Undercover Mission

The real reason Bishop left was to embark on a long-term, deep-cover intelligence operation. This mission was so sensitive that it required her to be completely disavowed by the United States. Her former mentor, the enigmatic CIA agent Odette Malone, was the one who recruited her for this new, highly dangerous line of work.

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3. Following in Ziva's Footsteps

The nature of Bishop's exit deliberately mirrored the methods of another beloved former NCIS agent: Ziva David. Odette Malone was a contact who worked with Ziva after she faked her death. By choosing this path, Bishop was essentially becoming a "fugitive in bad standing with the US," allowing her to infiltrate dangerous organizations globally. This narrative connection gave the exit a sense of high-stakes legacy.

The Real-Life Reasons: Why Emily Wickersham Chose to Depart

While the on-screen drama was intense, the real-world reasons for Emily Wickersham's departure were far more personal and relatable. Her decision was not due to any on-set conflict but a simple desire for change and a new chapter in life.

4. Ready to Move On After Eight Years

Emily Wickersham had been a main cast member on NCIS for eight seasons, appearing in over 170 episodes. This is a significant commitment in the demanding world of network television. She publicly stated that she was simply "ready to move on" and that "it was time." This desire for a creative and professional shift was the primary driver for her decision not to renew her contract.

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5. A New Focus on Family and Personal Life

A major contributing factor to Wickersham's decision was her desire to focus on her personal life and start a family. Sources close to the actress and fan discussions indicate that her pregnancy and the desire to devote time to her baby played a crucial role. The hectic, grueling schedule of a television series like NCIS is not conducive to balancing a new family life, prompting her to step away and move to New York for a less demanding lifestyle.

The Lingering Question: Bishop and Torres' Relationship

One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of Bishop's exit was the dramatic resolution—or lack thereof—of her long-simmering romantic tension with Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). The Bishop-Torres dynamic, often referred to by fans as "Tish," was a major storyline leading up to her departure.

The Final Kiss and the Lie

In their final moments together, Bishop and Torres shared a passionate kiss, which was immediately followed by Bishop telling Torres that her confession about the NSA leak was true and that she had been a "bad guy" all along. This lie was necessary to protect her cover, but it left Torres—and the audience—devastated and confused. Bishop's decision to sacrifice their potential relationship for the mission underscored the immense personal cost of her new path.

Will Bishop Ever Return to NCIS?

Unlike many character exits that involve death or permanent incapacitation, Agent Bishop's storyline was left deliberately open-ended. She is alive, on a heroic mission, and technically a fugitive. This narrative choice gives the showrunners the ability to bring Emily Wickersham back for a guest appearance or a multi-episode arc at any point in the future. While there have been no official announcements, the door remains wide open for a "Tish" reunion or a temporary return to assist the team with a high-stakes case. This possibility continues to fuel fan speculation and keeps the character of Eleanor Bishop relevant in the ongoing NCIS narrative.

In summary, Eleanor Bishop’s departure was a convergence of character destiny and personal choice. She left the team to become a world-class covert operative, while Emily Wickersham left the show to embrace motherhood and a well-deserved break from the demanding world of television production.