Saturday Night Live officially kicked off Season 51 with Bad Bunny pulling double duty as host and musical guest, marking the start of a brand-new era for the long-running NBC series. After celebrating its milestone 50th season, SNL entered its next chapter with several major cast changes, introducing fresh faces and saying goodbye to a few familiar ones.
Following SNL50 and the show’s season 50 finale, the show’s longest-running cast member, Kenan Thompson, teased to Page Six that “bittersweet” changes were imminent.
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” the Nickelodeon alum said. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer. It’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
Hollywood Life has the latest updates on who’s in the SNL season 51 cast and who’s leaving.
Was SNL Canceled?
No. Saturday Night Live was not canceled. The iconic NBC sketch comedy series officially returned for Season 51 on October 4, 2025,
Who Returned to the SNL Cast for Season 51?
At the time of publication, these names are still part of SNL for its 51st season:
Who Are the New SNL Season 51 Cast Members?
The following were announced as new cast members of SNL season 51:
Welcome to the cast!
Tommy BrennanJeremy CulhaneBen MarshallKam PattersonVeronika Slowikowska pic.twitter.com/hXtrUgwEgx
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) September 2, 2025
Who Left SNL? 2025 Cast Departures
The following cast members left SNL ahead of season 51:
Why Did Heidi Gardner Leave SNL?
Heidi officially left Saturday Night Live ahead of its Season 51 premiere, marking the end of her eight-year run on the NBC sketch comedy series. While neither Gardner nor NBC publicly confirmed the exact reason for her departure, multiple outlets reported that it was part of a larger cast shakeup following the show’s 50th anniversary season. Some insiders suggested her contract was not renewed as SNL showrunner Lorne Michaels looked to refresh the lineup, while others believe Gardner—who joined the cast in 2017—was ready to pursue new creative opportunities outside of SNL.
Why Did Ego Nwodim Leave SNL?
Ego announced that she left SNL on her own accord in a September 2025 Instagram post. She wrote, “The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But 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. 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
Was Anyone Fired From SNL?
It’s unclear who was fired and who left on their own accord, but Devon and Emil seemingly hinted that they were released from SNL.
Devon was the first to comment on his departure, sharing a screenshot from a computer Text Edit note to his Instagram carousel post in August 2025.
“Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes, it was really cool,” Devon wrote in his statement. “Sometimes, it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f**ked up lil family.”
The top of Devon’s note was labeled, “wait..did he quit or did he get fired?”
As for Emil, the comedian also confirmed his exit via Instagram, implying that he was released upon receiving a phone call.
“I won’t be returning to SNL next year,” Emil confirmed via Instagram in late August 2025. “It was a gut punch of a call to get, but I’m so grateful for my time there.”
