Sad news from Hollywood: Actor from the series NCIS has passed away hue01

Mark Harmon and NCIS: Origins are welcoming back a familiar face.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, NCIS alum Emily Wickersham teased her return as Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop, five years after departing the original series following eight seasons. She previously reprised her role during a guest appearance in March.

 In an Instagram post, Wickersham, 42, posed for photos with her costars and shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her upcoming appearance. “A little bit of my origin story,” she captioned the post. “I love this show, these people, and getting to be a tiny part of it 🤍🧑🏼‍🩰”

The official NCIS Instagram account also teased Bishop’s appearance in the upcoming Oct. 27 episode. The prequel series follows a young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in the years leading up to NCIS.

“A familiar face in a familiar place — gear up for an off the books reunion on next week’s all-new NCIS: Origins,” a caption read.

The episode, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” written by Steven Paul Martinez and directed by Patrick Cady, has since been teased by CBS. “In 1993, the team intervenes when a general’s rebellious teen son is targeted by a dangerous former gang member,” a synopsis reads. “In the present, [Leroy Jethro] Gibbs (Mark Harmon) returns to a place full of memories and discovers he’s not alone.”

According to TV Line, Bishop is “enlisted by new director Tony DiNozzo to help Gibbs on his quest to track down the unknown assailants who shot him.” In the sneak peek shared to Instagram, Harmon’s Gibbs points a gun when surprised by Bishop before she throws her hands in the air. “Missed you, too,” she says, as they share a moment.

Gibbs then tells her to “gear up,” as she responds, “I never thought I’d hear you say that again.”

Wickersham isn’t the first returnee making her way to Origins, as she follows the return of Michael Weatherly’s Anthony D. “Tony” DiNozzo Jr. in the prequel series during the Tuesday, Oct. 20 episode.

CBS announced in June that Harmon would reprise his role as Gibbs throughout season 3. Harmon has served as an executive producer and narrator since the prequel debuted in 2024. He previously appeared on the series during its 2024 premiere and again during a November 2025 crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins.

Wickersham first announced her departure from NCIS on Instagram in May 2021. “Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been,” she captioned black-and-white photos at the time. “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.”

“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,” the actress added. “A moment in time I surely won’t forget.”

The next episode of NCIS: Origins airs Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS and streams the following day on Paramount+.