Emily Wickersham | Celebrity Net Worth 2026

Biography & Early Wealth Journey

Emily Wickersham is best known for portraying National Security Agency analyst turned NCIS Special Agent Eleanor "Ellie" Bishop on the CBS crime drama "NCIS." She joined the series in 2013 and remained a principal cast member for eight seasons, appearing in approximately 172 episodes before leaving in 2021.

Wickersham began her career with smaller film and television roles, including a recurring part as Rhiannon Flammer on "The Sopranos." Her film credits include "Gardener of Eden," "Definitely, Maybe," "Remember Me," "I Am Number Four," and the Amanda Seyfried thriller "Gone."

Her lengthy run on "NCIS" made Wickersham recognizable to one of television's largest international audiences. Bishop evolved from an unconventional intelligence analyst into an experienced field agent and became closely connected to characters played by Mark Harmon, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, and Cote de Pablo.

After taking several years away from acting, Wickersham returned to "NCIS" for guest appearances during the show's 23rd season. She has said that she remains open to appearing as Bishop again without committing to a permanent return.

Early Life and Education

Emily Kaiser Wickersham was born on April 26, 1984, in Kansas. She was raised in Mamaroneck, New York, in a creative family. Her mother painted, her father was involved in art, and her brother became a photographer.

Wickersham attended Mamaroneck High School and participated in sports including soccer and track. After graduating, she enrolled at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

She initially studied painting but left college after two years because she was uncertain that visual art was the right career. Wickersham moved to New York City and began taking acting classes despite having little previous performance experience.

Early Acting Career

Wickersham began receiving professional screen work in 2006. One of her first significant roles was Rhiannon Flammer on "The Sopranos." Rhiannon was a friend of A.J. Soprano who appeared during the drama's final seasons.

She followed with an appearance as Jennifer Steinbrenner in the ESPN miniseries "The Bronx Is Burning." Wickersham also acted in the television films "Mitch Albom's For One More Day" and "Taking Chance."

Her guest credits included "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Bored to Death," "Trauma," and "Gossip Girl." In 2013, she had a recurring role as Kate Millwright on the American adaptation of the crime drama "The Bridge."

Film Career

Wickersham made her feature-film debut in "Gardener of Eden," a crime comedy directed by Kevin Connolly. She subsequently appeared in "Definitely, Maybe," starring Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin.

Her additional films included "How I Got Lost," "Remember Me," and the science-fiction action film "I Am Number Four."

In 2012, Wickersham played Molly Conway in "Gone." Amanda Seyfried starred as a woman attempting to find her missing sister while convincing the authorities that a serial kidnapper had returned. The role gave Wickersham more substantial screen time than many of her earlier film appearances.

"NCIS"

Wickersham joined "NCIS" during its 11th season. Ellie Bishop was initially introduced as an NSA analyst with an exceptional memory and an unconventional habit of sitting on the floor while reviewing case material.

The character was originally intended to appear in a limited story arc. Wickersham was soon promoted to series regular, and Bishop left the NSA to become an NCIS probationary agent under Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon.

Bishop helped fill the space left by the departure of Cote de Pablo's character, Ziva David, although the writers gave Bishop a different personality and professional background. Her analytical skills, appetite, and initially upbeat demeanor distinguished her from the more secretive Ziva.

Over time, Bishop became a capable field agent and experienced several personal losses. The series explored the end of her marriage, the death of her boyfriend Qasim Naasir, and her growing relationship with Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama.

Wickersham also appeared as Bishop in a crossover episode of "NCIS: New Orleans."

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Departure and Return

Wickersham left "NCIS" at the end of its 18th season in 2021. In the storyline, Bishop admitted to leaking classified NSA information and resigned from the agency. The apparent scandal was revealed to be part of a plan allowing her to undertake covert training and disappear into an undercover assignment.

Wickersham later explained that she had felt ready to close that chapter after nearly eight years of the demanding production schedule. She learned that she was pregnant approximately one month after leaving the series and spent the following years concentrating on motherhood.

Bishop made a surprise appearance during season 23 and returned more substantially in the episode "Her." The storyline revealed what the character had experienced during her years undercover and reunited her with Torres and other members of the team.

Wickersham did not rejoin the regular cast, but the story was written to permit additional appearances.

Personal Life

Wickersham married musician Blake Hanley in 2010. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2018.

She later began a relationship with actor James Badge Dale. Their first son, Cassius, was born in December 2021.

Wickersham and Dale married in September 2024 and welcomed a second son, Zephyr, the following month. The family is based in New York City

Real Estate

In March 2020, Emily pad $2.6 million for a home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

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