'NCIS' Season 11: 'Sopranos' Alum to be Ziva's Successor?
"NCIS" creators may have found their replacement for star Cote de Pablo. Reports state that former "Sopranos" actress Emily Wickersham has been sited for the new role.
Wickersham currently has a three-episode deal with "NCIS" that could lead to a regular position should her appearance go over well with audiences and the "NCIS" staff. She is to play the role of Bishop, whom executives named as the replacement for character Ziva David, played by de Pablo.
Bishop is, according to creators, "a bright, educated, athletic, attractive, fresh-faced, focused and somewhat socially awkward new agent. She has a mysterious mixture of analytic brilliance, fierce determination and idealism. She's traveled extensively but only feels comfortable at home."
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Wickersham currently appears on the FX series "The Bridge" and is expected to make her debut as Bishop in November. Until then, viewers will have the opportunity to watch several actors and actresses pass through the doors of "NCIS."
"The first two episodes are all about Ziva's departure," Executive Producer Gary Glasberg previously told TVLine. "And then in the third episode, we begin to introduce some different characters. And then, hopefully, when people are comfortable enough, one will walk in and be The One."
Fans of the show, as well as network executives, were stunned by de Pablo's decision to exit the show after seven years. CBS President Les Moonves joked that he offered the star "a lot of money" to stay with the series but could not change her mind. Her co-workers have all rallied around de Pablo to offer their support for her decision and their dedication to the show.
"We've had a lot of changes," lead Mark Harmon said on "The Arsenio Hall Show." "We have had another change this year, with Cote leaving, and it's up to this highly professional group to use that as a springboard, to improve and stay No. 1 (in total viewers)."
The season 11 premiere will air Sept. 24 on CBS.
