Ego Nwodim Bids Farewell to SNL After Seven Seasons

Lead: Ego Nwodim announced her departure from Saturday Night Live in an Instagram post on September 12, ending her seven-season run on NBC’s flagship sketch series.

Nut Graf: The comedian, who joined SNL as a featured player in 2018 and became a repertory cast member in 2020, cited gratitude for the opportunity and camaraderie while hinting at new creative ventures.

Departure Announcement

In her Instagram statement, Nwodim wrote, “The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. After seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship”.

SNL Tenure and Highlights

• Joined Season 44 (2018): Nwodim was added as the only new cast member that year and quickly became known for characters like “Lisa from Temecula.”
• Promotion to Repertory (2020): Elevated ahead of Season 46, she anchored Weekend Update bits and headlined high-profile sketches.
• Viral Moments: Her “Ms. Eggy” call-and-response routine led to an FCC fine earlier in 2025, sparking audience chants that trended on social media.

Cast Changes Ahead of Season 51

NBC finalized its Season 51 lineup earlier this week, with several veteran cast members exiting alongside Nwodim. The new season premieres October 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

What’s Next for Nwodim

Industry insiders expect Nwodim to leverage her SNL profile into film and scripted television roles. She recently appeared in Peacock’s Mr. Throwback and Netflix’s upcoming Little Brother, alongside John Cena and Eric André.

“Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories (and that laughter) with me always,” Nwodim concluded.