In a surprising twist for “NCIS” fans, the episode “Heaven and Nature” brought both joy and complications. Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law, undertakes her first mission with the NCIS Elite, and her target is none other than Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop, portrayed by Emily Wickersham. Ellie, who exited the NCIS team five seasons prior, becomes the focus of Jessica’s investigation. Although Jessica is visibly troubled about pursuing her friend, Ellie seems aware of her predicament. She watches Jessica from a distance as Jessica and the team attend the reburial service of Alden Parker’s mother, played by Mackenzie Firgens.

Ellie’s unexpected return caught fans off guard, as many believed Emily Wickersham had no plans to reprise her role. Her last appearance was in Season 18, Episode 16, titled “Rule 91,” a nod to one of Gibbs’ many directives. During that episode, Ellie leaves the team to work with Odette Malone, portrayed by Elayn J. Taylor, parting from her colleagues and her budding relationship with Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama—a moment considered one of the most poignant in Torres’ storyline.

Excitingly, “NCIS” showrunner Steven D. Binder shared insights on Ellie’s surprising return in the fall finale, revealing that this plot will extend into an additional episode. This means Ellie’s storyline will continue, likely in the first new episode following the winter break. Fans can anticipate this continuation airing on February 24, 2026, eagerly speculating about the unfolding events.

The central question driving this storyline is whether Ellie has truly betrayed the team. Previously, she faced accusations of leaking classified information, which were eventually proven false. However, the possibility remains that she might now be involved in something far more serious. The truth is yet to be uncovered, leaving both the team and fans on tenterhooks.

The big lingering question looming over this storyline is a simple one, but one that will have far-reaching consequences for the team: did Ellie actually betray them? She was previously accused of such a crime when she left the NCIS organization, but the crew managed to figure out that Ellie wasn’t actually guilty of leaking old intelligence information. Is it possible that she’s now responsible for something far worse? The truth remains unclear.

It may seem impossible to fans who followed Ellie for seasons to believe that she might do something this heinous, but as Steven D. Binder explained to TV Line, a lot of things have happened to Ellie since she left the team. “She is not the same person that left the show,” he said. “She’s a very different person. A lot has happened to her, and that will go a long way to explain why we are looking for her in a way that suggests she’s done something wrong.” It’s a harbinger of what could be one of the most dire cases of Knight’s life — and one that could cost Ellie more than her freedom.