Ego Nwodim bids farewell to “Saturday Night Live” as the show undergoes changes ahead of its 51st season. Nwodim, who joined the cast in 2018 and was promoted two years later, took to Instagram on Friday to announce her departure. She expressed gratitude to show creator Lorne Michaels, her colleagues, and the crew for their support during her seven seasons on the program.
The news of Nwodim’s exit came shortly after reports confirmed the finalized lineup for Season 51, which will include five new cast members. Ben Marshall, a current writer for “SNL,” will transition to a featured player role alongside newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, the only Canadian in the group.
Recent departures from the show include Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow, who announced their exits on social media. While there were reports of Heidi Gardner leaving, no official confirmation has been made. Lorne Michaels had hinted at anticipated changes following the 50th season, emphasizing the program’s tradition of evolving over the years with a diverse range of cast members.
Among the cast shakeups, James Austin Johnson is set to return as he continues his portrayal of U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the changes, “Saturday Night Live” remains a cultural mainstay, having showcased iconic talents from its inception in 1975 to the present day.