By now many “NCIS” viewers are aware that Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) is meant to become the replacement for Ziva (Cote de Pablo) on Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) team. What many of us don’t know is the way in which she becomes that replacement. According to TVGuide.com, she does what anyone would have to do to become a member of NCIS—impress someone.
The website reports that the Bishop, an NSA Analyst, will aid NCIS in the capture of a terrorist named Benham Parsa. Showrunner Gary Glasberg tells TVGuide that Parsa isn’t your usual villain.
"He is a new face that we haven't seen before and has a new approach to things," Glasberg said, referring to the new bad guy. The showrunner added that Bishop will have some “strong” opinions on the case and will bring “something extra to the table.”
Unfortunately for “NCIS” fans anxious about Ziva’s possible replacement, they’ll have to wait until November for Bishop to arrive. Prior to that there will be some fill-ins (which began in last night’s episode with Roma Maffia as Agent Vera Strickland) on Gibbs’ team.
The absence of Cote de Pablo’s character will no doubt leave a strain on not only Tony (Michael Weatherly) but the entire squad. Glassberg recently told TVLine that it’s an aspect of the show that that won’t be ignored.
“Oh, it’s very present. It’s a big part of quite a few episodes,” the executive producer said. “You’ll see glances and references to the empty desk, but at the same time we try to get back to the fun and the humor and the lightness and the banter of the squad room — all the things that people like about our show. But we’re not hiding from it, it’s acknowledged.”
“NCIS” airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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