Several Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast members are leaving ahead of the comedy show’s Season 51 premiere on October 4.
The departures come after SNL creator Lorne Michaels hinted at major changes to the cast. In an interview with Puck, Michaels said he wanted to “shake things up” after the show’s 50th-season finale.
The Season 50 cast featured 17 performers. It included 14 full-time cast members and three featured players.
Several performers have now announced or reportedly confirmed their exits. Here is what we know so far.
Devon Walker
Devon Walker announced his SNL departure in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Walker joined the show in 2022 as a featured player. The programme promoted him to the main cast during Season 50.
In his post, Walker compared jobs in the entertainment industry to short-lived relationships. He also described his time at SNL as a mix of positive and difficult experiences.
Walker thanked the people he worked with and reflected on the unusual experience of working on the long-running comedy show.
His departure means SNL will lose another performer who became part of the main cast during its milestone 50th season.
Emil Wakim
Emil Wakim announced his departure one day after Walker.
Wakim joined SNL as a featured player for Season 50. He shared the news on Instagram and said he would not return for Season 51.
The actor described the decision as a “gut punch” but expressed gratitude for his time on the programme.
Wakim also thanked Lorne Michaels for giving him the opportunity to join the show. He said the experience changed his life and gave him the chance to share his voice with a large audience.
His exit adds another new face to the list of performers leaving SNL after Season 50.
Michael Longfellow
Michael Longfellow will also leave SNL after three seasons, according to Deadline.
Longfellow joined the show as a featured player in Season 48. The programme later promoted him to the main cast.
He confirmed his departure on Instagram and said he would not return for a fourth season.
Longfellow described his three years at SNL as the best period of his life so far. He also thanked the people he worked with and said he would especially miss his friends at the show.
His departure marks another significant change for the SNL cast ahead of Season 51.
Heidi Gardner
Heidi Gardner could also leave SNL after eight seasons, although she has not confirmed her departure.
Several media outlets, including People and Variety, have reported that Gardner may exit the show.
Gardner joined SNL in 2017 as a featured player. She became a full-time cast member in 2019.
During Season 50, Gardner served as the show’s longest-tenured current female cast member. She also recorded the most sketch appearances during Season 49.
If Gardner leaves, her departure would represent one of the biggest changes to the SNL cast ahead of Season 51.
SNL prepares for Season 51
The recent departures point to a significant cast shake-up at Saturday Night Live.
Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow have confirmed that they will not return. Reports also suggest that Heidi Gardner could leave after eight seasons.
The changes follow a milestone 50th season for the NBC comedy series. Lorne Michaels previously suggested that the show would make changes to its line-up.
Fans will now have to wait for the Season 51 premiere to see how the cast changes affect the programme.
With new performers expected to join the long-running series, SNL is entering another period of transition as it prepares for its next chapter.
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