Ahead of the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, significant changes are on the horizon for the cast. Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim revealed their exits from the show through social media announcements this week. Heidi Gardner, a pivotal figure in SNL for eight seasons, known for roles like Angel and participation in popular sketches, is also reportedly bidding farewell to the cast.
Efforts to confirm Gardner’s departure with her representatives have been unsuccessful, and NBC has declined to comment on the situation. Among the departing members, Gardner holds the record for the longest tenure, with Longfellow and Walker each spending three years on the show, while Wakim had joined just last season.
Walker was the first to announce his departure, sharing a photo in front of the SNL sign on Instagram with a caption hinting at his exit. Longfellow suggested that he was released from the show, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledging Lorne Michaels for the life-changing experience.
Wakim also hinted at being let go, describing the news as a “gut punch” while expressing both appreciation for the role and excitement for future endeavors. Writer Celeste Yim additionally announced their departure after five seasons.
These announcements follow SNL creator Lorne Michaels’ anticipation of changes post the show’s 50th season. Despite no cast members revealing their exits after the previous season, Michaels hinted at upcoming alterations in an interview, with James Austin Johnson confirmed to return as President Donald Trump.
Colleagues and fans have expressed support and sadness over the departures, with several leaving encouraging messages on the departing members’ social media posts. Fans particularly lauded Gardner for her consistent performances, while others felt it was time for her to explore new projects. Some viewers expressed regret that the departing cast members did not have the opportunity to fully showcase their talents on the show.
SNL has a history of significant cast changes over its more than 50-year run, with past exits eliciting mixed reactions from fans. REWRITE_BLOCKED: The provided source link cannot be used for rewriting.
