SNL Cast Exodus Marks Major Shake-Up Ahead of Season 51

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2025 - In a series of high-profile announcements today, four cast members of NBC’s long-running sketch comedy “Saturday Night Live” revealed they will not return for the show’s upcoming 51st season.

Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim each took to social media this week to confirm their departures, while Variety and other outlets report that eight-season veteran Heidi Gardner will also be exiting the ensemble.

Longfellow, who joined the cast three seasons ago and was promoted to main company last year, posted on Instagram, “Will not be returning for a fourth season at SNL. Wish I was, but so it goes. I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity-Lorne, you changed my life”.

Walker, a featured player for three years, announced his exit with a tongue-in-cheek Instagram caption, likening his tenure to “a little marriage” that was “sometimes really cool, sometimes toxic as hell.” He playfully left fans guessing whether he chose to leave or was let go.

Wakim, the show’s first Lebanese-American cast member who joined for Season 50, described the news of his departure as “a gut punch,” yet expressed deep appreciation for the “exhilarating, terrifying and rewarding” experience.

Gardner, the longest-tenured performer among those departing, served on the cast for eight seasons and was known for standout Weekend Update characters such as “Angel” and the boxing-movie girlfriend archetype. Neither NBC nor Gardner’s representatives have issued formal comments.

These departures follow creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels’ recent remarks to Puck that he intended a significant “shake-up” after the show’s landmark 50th season. Although Michaels confirmed that James Austin Johnson will return, the future status of several other players-including Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che and Bowen Yang-remains unannounced.

“Saturday Night Live” Season 51 premieres Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.