In an exclusive announcement, it has been revealed that the cast shakeup at Saturday Night Live (SNL) is far from over. Ego Nwodim, a beloved cast member, has decided to leave the iconic NBC show after an impressive seven-season run. Sources at Deadline confirm that Nwodim made this significant decision just as the cast for the upcoming Season 51 was believed to be finalized ahead of its return on October 4.
In her heartfelt farewell, Nwodim expressed her gratitude, saying, “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 [Michaels] 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.”
Following her departure from SNL, Ego Nwodim is expected to be in high demand. In recent years, she has made a name for herself by starring in popular series such as Peacock’s Poker Face and Mr. Throwback, as well as the Netflix film Little Brother, which features stars like John Cena, Eric André, and Michelle Monaghan. “Dream come true. I want my other dreams to come true. I want to be in films and I want to do more TV as well,” she shared with Deadline earlier this year.
Nwodim was one of the most senior female cast members during her tenure at SNL, and her exit follows the news that other cast members, including Heidi Gardner, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker, will also not return for Season 51. A pre-med student who honed her skills at UCB, Nwodim joined the SNL cast in 2018, making her debut ahead of Season 44 as the only new face that year. She was later promoted to repertory player prior to Season 46.
Nwodim's departure comes as a surprise, especially considering her recent breakout performances, including a memorable role as Miss Eggy, which led to an unexpected moment where the audience yelled expletives live on television during a call-and-response segment. She also gained viral fame for her portrayal of Lisa from Temecula, a lawyer with a peculiar obsession for overcooked meat that impacts her dining environment.
Earlier this year, when asked about her potential return for Season 51, Nwodim remained non-committal. “We like to keep things mysterious around here. That’s part of the allure of SNL; we don’t know what’s going to happen week to week, let alone in the fall, so who knows,” she remarked to Deadline.
The timing of Nwodim’s departure is significant, as it follows the 50th anniversary of SNL, a milestone that she described as a “surreal experience.” Reflecting on the event, she remarked, “At one point, there was an event honoring Lorne Michaels… What a special honor to get to be part of that club or family. The 50th felt really nostalgic and beautiful.”
With Nwodim's exit, the cast of Saturday Night Live for Season 51 will consist of 17 members. Lorne Michaels has recently added Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska to the lineup, along with Ben Marshall from Please Don’t Destroy. They will join a talented roster that includes Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang, along with featured players Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.
