Saturday Night Live is undergoing significant cast changes ahead of its season 51 premiere this weekend, with several departures and five new hires confirmed by showrunner Lorne Michaels.
Departing cast members include Ego Nwodim, who left after seven seasons. In a statement, Nwodim said she decided to leave, calling her time on the show 'unforgettable.' Other exits include Please Don’t Destroy’s John Higgins, while Martin Herlihy is believed to remain as a writer. Andrew Dismukes, Michael Longfellow, and Molly Kearney have also left.
New featured players joining the cast are Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, Jane Wickline, plus Yvonne Slowikowska, Alex Culhane, and Andrew Patterson. Additionally, Please Don’t Destroy’s Ben Marshall officially joins the cast after previously appearing in videos and sketches.
Michaels confirmed James Austin Johnson will return to portray President Donald Trump. The show’s 50th season finale passed without major departures, but Michaels told Puck he plans to 'shake things up' for season 51, feeling 'pressured to reinvent' the show.
Nwodim, known for her viral 'Temecula lawyer' sketch and Weekend Update segments, joined SNL in 2018 and became the longest-tenured current female cast member last season. Her departure was voluntary, according to Deadline.
