Saturday Night Live is bracing for a major shake-up as four performers exit ahead of Season 51’s October 4 premiere, signaling a fresh chapter for the long-running NBC show.
Heidi Gardner is leaving after eight seasons, closing a run that began in Season 43 and included standout Weekend Update characters like Angel and Bailey Gismert. Gardner, promoted to the main cast in 2019, had recently voiced creative “fatigue” on a podcast, adding context to a departure that also marks the end of one of the show’s longest-serving current women.
Meanwhile, Michael Longfellow confirmed his exit on August 28 via Instagram, thanking the show after three seasons and a recent promotion, a move that surprised some given reports he had screen-tested for the Weekend Update desk.
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The changes reach beyond Gardner and Longfellow. Emil Wakim announced his departure on August 27, calling the notification “a gut punch,” while expressing gratitude to Lorne Michaels and the staff after one season on the show. Devon Walker revealed his exit on August 25, describing a mix of “toxic as hell” moments and positives during his time, reflecting the complexity of a three-season stint that began in Season 48. Together, these exits amount to one of the more notable turnover waves as SNL moves past its 50th season celebration.
Lorne Michaels has hinted at significant adjustments after the milestone year, noting in late August interviews that cast news would arrive “in about a week” as part of efforts to “reinvent” the show. NBC has declined comment on the personnel moves, in line with the network’s practice of staying silent on casting specifics.
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Reports also point to a staff shift off-camera, with writer Celeste Yim departing alongside the on-air changes, adding to the sense of a broader reset at Studio 8H.
Season 51 remains set for an October 4 launch, with additional cast details expected before the premiere as the show finalizes its lineup. The reshuffle could carry specific implications for Weekend Update, particularly following Longfellow’s reported test and ongoing questions about anchor continuity.
