Most fans fully expected her to carry out the assignment and then rejoin the team when the series returns in the fall, but it turns out, that’s not the case. Wickersham posted a statement in May that indicates the departure is her exit from the series. She wrote: “Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been. 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. 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.” As sad as it is to see a favorite character go, NCIS did give Ellie a great sendoff when she and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) said their goodbyes. “That’s why you blew me off,” he said, meaning why they never hooked up. “I didn’t mean for us to happen,” she replied and then kisses him goodbye. Kudos have to be given to the NCIS writing team for the appropriate exit. Ellie first met the character of Odette (Elayn Taylor), who is sending her off on the undercover assignment, when Ziva (Cote de Pablo) returned to the series. At that time, Odette told Ellie they saw something special in her and she has been in training for her new mission ever since. As she told Torres, she just didn’t expect it to happen so soon, and neither did we. Castmate Brian Dietzen, who plays Chief Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer, commented on her post: “So damn proud of you my friend. Also, I’m gonna miss the hell outta you on set. I can’t wait to see what you do next. Whatever it is, I’ll be there in the front row. Thank you.” Katrina Law joined the show as a series regular when NCIS returned tonight to fill the spot on the team left open by Bishop’s departure. NCIS moved to Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS for the 19th season. Next, see all the characters who’ve been killed off NCIS.
