Fans of “NCIS” received a delightful surprise as Ellie Bishop, portrayed by Emily Wickersham, made a return. However, her comeback doesn’t seem permanent. Her appearance in the fall finale suggests she’ll play a role in the upcoming episodes, but don’t count on seeing her long-term. Showrunner Steven D. Binder shared with TVLine that while there are no current plans to extend her storyline, the team enjoyed working with Wickersham. “She’s kind of back in the mix, but we’re not planning a lengthy arc,” Binder explained.

Emily Wickersham’s return seems to be limited to two episodes for now, following her departure in Season 18. Although Binder didn’t specify when Ellie would appear, it’s likely she’ll feature prominently in Episode 10, as the show aims to quickly satisfy fan curiosity. Binder hinted at resolution, saying, “We’re diving right into what fans want, offering closure, though it might not be what everyone expects.” Viewers eager for details will have to wait for the show’s return on February 24, 2026.

As the winter break concludes, Ellie Bishop’s brief but hopefully impactful return raises questions about her future on the show. Could this be her final appearance? Episode 9, “Heaven and Nature,” reveals that Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law, is now tasked with finding Ellie. Ironically, Knight took Ellie’s place on the team, setting the stage for an intriguing face-off. Fans are left wondering if Ellie’s fate is sealed.

We know that she’s going to return for a short — and, hopefully, very satisfying — arc after the “NCIS” winter break, but will that be it for Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop? Is this going to be Elli’s swansong? It does kind of feel that way: As revealed in “Heaven and Nature,” Ellie is now the quarry of Katrina Law’s Jessica Knight (who ironically replaced Ellie on the NCIS team). She’s the subject of Jessica’s first NCIS Elite assignment, which sets up a nice showdown between the two. Is it possible that Ellie won’t make it out alive?

Rest easy, Ellie fans. While Binder didn’t answer that question specifically, his comments made it clear that whatever he has in store for Ellie in Season 23, it won’t be the end of her as a character — the showrunner revealed that the door would be open for Wickersham to return again in the future. “She had a great time. We had a great time. It’s a fun story” Binder told TVLine, adding that Bishop “always was an interesting character. She’s a way more interesting character now, because of the wear and tear on the psyche.”