Heidi Gardner Departs Saturday Night Live After Eight Seasons

NEW YORK - Heidi Gardner, a staple of NBC’s Saturday Night Live ensemble, announced her departure from the flagship sketch comedy series on Thursday, August 28, 2025. The seasoned performer, who joined SNL as a featured player in 2017 and was promoted to repertory status in 2019, will not return for the show’s upcoming 51st season.

Gardner rose to prominence through a range of memorable characters and impressions, including teen film critic Bailey Gismert, “Every Boxer’s Girlfriend” Angel, and spot-on renditions of Drew Barrymore, Melania Trump, and Allison Janney. In Season 49, she appeared in more sketches than any of her peers, solidifying her status as one of the show’s most prolific cast members.

Her decision to leave comes amid a broader cast shake-up at Studio 8H. In recent days, fellow cast members Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker also announced they will not return for Season 51, prompting creator Lorne Michaels to signal a “reinvention” of the ensemble following the landmark 50th season celebration.

Reflecting on her exit, Gardner told PEOPLE earlier this year that she had begun to experience “sketch fatigue,” yet emphasized her gratitude for eight years of creative collaboration and the live-television challenges that shaped her career. Looking ahead, the comedian hinted at ambitions to co-create and star in her own scripted series, exploring characters and storylines over multiple episodes.

Saturday Night Live’s new season is slated to premiere on October 4, 2025, on NBC and Peacock, ushering in the next generation of talent at the long-running late-night institution.