Replacing Ziva David was no small task, but NCIS star won over fans with her grit, depth, and a fresh spark in her character journey.
Replacing a fan-favorite is no easy gig, but NCIS found a way to do it. When Cote de Pablo exited, her iconic Ziva David left some massive shoes to fill. But then entered a fresh-faced character ready to tackle crime and skeptics alike.
Initially met with hesitation, this new character slowly won over viewers, even earning praise from Ziva’s most dedicated fans. The dynamic may’ve shifted, but the spirit of NCIS remained as sharp as ever.
How Emily Wickersham won over skeptics and found her place on NCIS
“I have just seen more and more positive reactions” – that’s how Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) who stepped into NCIS after Ziva David’s iconic run described her journey.
Replacing Cote de Pablo’s beloved Ziva was a tall order, but Wickersham found her footing, slowly winning over even hardcore fans. The transition wasn’t seamless, but as seasons unfolded, skepticism softened into approval. Fans began to embrace the quirks, faults, and depth of this new character. Wickersham shared,
I know that people are very attached to the Ziva character and always were and always will be, which I get. You get invested in these shows and you get very invested in the character. And Ziva is such a wonderful character — and Cote did such a great job with her.
At first I know the fans were very skeptical of Bishop, but as I’ve been here and as the seasons have gone by, I have just seen more and more positive reactions to Bishop, especially as we get to know her more and we see more and more faults in her. … I know there are people who still don’t like her, and I think that’s always going to be the case, but for the most part, it’s gotten more positive.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight, though.
NCIS had to shift its dynamics following Ziva’s departure, and Wickersham brought a fresh perspective to the team. Viewers saw her grapple with challenges, making her evolution relatable and layered. Over time, even the die-hard Ziva fans, who initially resisted, acknowledged her place in the squad.
The emotional beats extended beyond personal drama. With NCIS expertly weaving other subplots, like Tony’s encounters with Jeanne Benoit and McGee’s relationship with Delilah, the show maintained its balance of tension and heart. As divorce loomed for her character, her journey promised darker, more introspective moments.
From early skepticism to fan acceptance, Emily Wickersham’s portrayal proved that even under intense scrutiny, a fresh face could carve its place in a legacy show like NCIS.
Emily Wickersham opens up about heartbreaking loss of her dog Miguel
Emily Wickersham shared some tough news on Instagram – her dog Miguel, her ride-or-die for 16 years, has passed away. The NCIS alum posted a heartfelt tribute packed with love, laughs, and all the feels.
Wickersham said Miguel’s quirks were exactly why she adopted him, calling him little but mighty and full of heart. She revealed (per the Mirror US):
If you had the pleasure of connecting with Miggy you knew this about him. He was definitely not for everyone…But for the ones he was for and who loved him, he loved you back and he loved hard. Maybe too hard sometimes, with a little love bite. He was little but mighty. We know this. It’s what I loved about him.
I really really loved our ride together. He was a very special dog with a lot of heart and chutzpah. I’m going to miss you so much Mig. Rest easy little man. I love you forever.
Emily Wickersham, who left NCIS in Season 18, reminded us all what it means to love fiercely, even the scrappy ones.
