NCIS surprise! Former star returns as Knight's first elite target

The Return of a Familiar Face on NCIS

The latest episode of NCIS has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, as a long-lost character from the show's past makes a surprising return. This development comes after hints from actor Sean Murray, who plays McGee, suggesting that someone from the NCIS world would reappear. The fall finale delivered on this promise, introducing a twist that has left viewers captivated.

In the episode, NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight received her first assignment from her supervisor in NCIS: Elite. She was stunned to discover that the target was former NCIS Special Agent Eleanor Bishop, played by Emily Wickersham. Knight was given a photo of Bishop and instructed to keep the revelation quiet. What made this moment even more shocking was that Bishop was secretly watching Knight and the rest of the team during a service for Parker’s mother. This unexpected appearance marks Wickersham’s first return to the show since her departure in May 2021.

Who Is Eleanor Bishop?

Bishop was last seen on NCIS in the Season 18 finale, where she was implicated in the leaking of highly classified NSA documents from 10 years earlier. It turned out that Bishop had planned to be exposed so she could resign from NCIS as a disgraced agent and join an undercover operation with Ziva’s friend Odette Malone. When Nick Torres confronted her about her lies, Bishop confessed, “I didn’t mean for us to happen.” Before leaving for her covert mission, Bishop shared a passionate goodbye kiss with Torres.

Since then, Jessica Knight has taken over as a new member of the NCIS team. However, the question remains: why is NCIS: Elite now targeting Bishop? Fans are speculating whether her undercover work has led to trouble or if she is intentionally drawing their attention for some reason. Why would she risk her safety by watching her former teammates, especially if she is a target?

Emily Wickersham's Exit

Following the airing of the Season 18 finale in May 2021, Wickersham confirmed her exit on Instagram. “Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been,” she wrote. “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.”

Wickersham continued, “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.”

What’s Next for NCIS?

NCIS will return with a new episode on Tuesday, February 24, at 8/7c on CBS. Fans can also watch the series on Paramount+ for $7.99. As the story continues, many are eager to see how Bishop’s return will impact the team and what secrets she may hold.

With the mystery surrounding her current predicament, fans are left wondering if this is just the beginning of a larger plot involving Bishop and her past actions. Whether she is in danger or seeking help, one thing is clear—her return has added a new layer of intrigue to the already compelling narrative of NCIS.