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The SNL Exodus: 5 Major Stars Who Left Before Season 51 And Their Shocking New Projects

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The landscape of late-night sketch comedy has undergone a seismic shift, with Saturday Night Live (SNL) confirming one of its most significant cast shakeups in recent memory ahead of the highly anticipated Season 51. As of December 2025, a wave of veteran and fan-favorite performers have officially exited the show, marking the start of a brand new era under creator Lorne Michaels. This deep dive reveals the five core cast members who have departed, the surprising reasons behind their decisions, and the major new television and film projects they are already lining up.

The transition between seasons is always a period of contract negotiation and change, but the scale of this particular exodus signals a major creative reset for the iconic New York comedy institution. From seven-season veterans to rising stars, the departures leave massive shoes to fill, but also pave the way for a fresh batch of comedic talent to take center stage for the 2025-2026 television season.

The Complete List of SNL Cast Departures Before Season 51 (2025)

The following five cast members have officially confirmed their exit from Saturday Night Live, choosing not to return for Season 51. Their combined comedic energy and established characters will be sorely missed by the show’s dedicated audience.

  • Ego Nwodim: Repertory Player (2018–2025) – 7 Seasons
  • Heidi Gardner: Repertory Player (2017–2025) – 8 Seasons
  • Michael Longfellow: Repertory Player (2022–2025) – 3 Seasons
  • Devon Walker: Repertory Player (2022–2025) – 3 Seasons
  • Emil Wakim: Featured Player (2023–2025) – 2 Seasons

Ego Nwodim: The Seven-Season Veteran's Voluntary Exit

Ego Nwodim’s decision to depart Saturday Night Live after seven successful seasons was perhaps the most surprising news of the 2025 cast shakeup. Nwodim, who joined the cast in 2018, became a powerhouse with memorable characters like the recurring Miss Eggy and her brilliant impressions of celebrities like Dionne Warwick.

Unlike some departures that are tied to contract non-renewals, Nwodim’s exit was voluntary, signaling a strategic move to pursue a larger career in film and television. She had reached the natural end of her lengthy tenure, a common point where established Repertory Players seek to "graduate" from the intense weekly demands of sketch comedy.

The Next Chapter: Major Hollywood Collaborations

Nwodim is already hitting the ground running with high-profile projects. She has confirmed upcoming collaborations with major industry names, including Mindy Kaling and John Cena.

Her first confirmed post-SNL gig is joining the cast of Mindy Kaling’s new Hulu comedy series, tentatively titled Not Suitable For Work. This move demonstrates her immediate pivot to a leading role in a serialized comedy format, allowing her to flex new "muscles" outside of the live sketch environment. She also recently performed a comedy show at Lincoln Center Theater, keeping her stand-up roots alive.

Heidi Gardner: The Shock of 'Sketch Fatigue' After Eight Years

Heidi Gardner, who spent eight seasons on the show, was one of the longest-serving female cast members and a fan-favorite known for her distinct character work, including the hilarious 'Every Boxer's Girlfriend' and the 'Teenage Girl' on Weekend Update.

Her departure was a major blow to the ensemble. While some reports suggested her contract was not renewed for Season 51, Gardner herself has hinted at the deep exhaustion that comes with the Saturday Night Live schedule. She cited "sketch fatigue" and "idea fatigue" as major factors in her decision to step away, indicating a need for a creative pause after nearly a decade of non-stop writing and performing.

The Rising Stars Who Chose to Move On: Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim

The departures of Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim represent a different kind of shift—the loss of younger talent who were just beginning to find their footing as Repertory Players. All three announced their exits via social media, expressing gratitude for their time on the show.

Michael Longfellow, known for his laid-back, snarky delivery and strong stand-up background, spent three seasons on the show. He confirmed his exit with a poignant note: “Will not be returning for a 4th season at 'SNL'. Wish I was but, so it goes.” His focus is expected to return to the stand-up comedy circuit, where he built his initial following.

Devon Walker and Emil Wakim, who also had relatively shorter tenures, are similarly expected to pursue other television and stand-up opportunities. The intense pressure and competitive nature of SNL often lead newer cast members to seek out projects where they can have more creative control and consistent screen time, a clear path for many SNL alumni.

The Future of SNL: Who is Staying and Who Might Be Next?

The massive cast shakeup for Season 51 means the returning cast members will take on a much larger role, providing the necessary stability for the new performers to integrate. Key veterans like Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che, and Mikey Day are expected to remain the cornerstones of the show.

Potential Future Departures: The Bowen Yang Question

While five stars have confirmed their exits, the biggest curiosity for fans revolves around Bowen Yang. Reports have suggested that Yang, a fan-favorite and critical darling who has been with the show for seven seasons (one as a writer, six as a cast member), is also expected to leave Saturday Night Live soon.

Yang has become a cultural phenomenon, balancing his SNL duties with a burgeoning film career, which often signals an impending departure. If he were to leave, it would complete a major generational shift, with the show losing two of its most prominent stars in Ego Nwodim and Yang in quick succession. The focus will be on the new wave of talent to see who steps up to fill the void.

The New Faces of Season 51: A Fresh Start

To counteract the significant departures, Lorne Michaels has brought in a fresh batch of comedians who will join the cast as Featured Players, injecting new energy into the ensemble. These new cast members represent the future of the show, and their success will determine the tone of the next few seasons.

The new Featured Players for Season 51 include:

  • Tommy Brennan
  • Jeremy Culhane
  • Ben Marshall
  • Kam Patterson
  • Veronika Slowikowska

This large influx of new talent is a clear sign that Saturday Night Live is committed to evolution. The SNL Season 51 cast shakeup is not just a loss of established stars but a necessary opportunity to refresh the show's comedic voice, ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The SNL Exodus: 5 Major Stars Who Left Before Season 51 and Their Shocking New Projects
who is leaving snl
who is leaving snl

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