Ego Nwodim announced she is leaving "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons, saying in an Instagram post that it was "the hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight." She thanked producer Lorne Michaels, her castmates, writers and crew and said she will carry the show's memories and laughter with her.
Nwodim joined "Saturday Night Live" in 2018 as a featured player and rose to prominence with recurring characters and sketches that drew viral attention, including the recent "Miss Eggy" segment on Weekend Update and the "Lisa from Temecula" sketch with Pedro Pascal. Her departure was posted on social media days after reports that NBC had confirmed its Season 51 cast lineup.
The announcement makes Nwodim the fifth cast member to exit the show ahead of Season 51. Earlier this summer and into the fall, "SNL" confirmed that Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim would not return. Writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker also left the series.
NBC and the show have announced several additions to the cast for Season 51. Ben Marshall, a member of comedy trio Please Don't Destroy who joined the show as a writer in 2021, was promoted to a cast member. Comedians Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska were brought on as featured players.
Nwodim's Instagram message reflected on her time on the show and included a lighthearted request: "Now invite me to your weddings please!!!" She credited the experience of performing week after week on the live stage with teaching her more than she imagined.
"Saturday Night Live" is scheduled to return with new episodes Oct. 4 on NBC and the streaming service Peacock. With multiple departures and fresh faces joining the ensemble, the show will begin its 51st season with a noticeably altered lineup from the one fans saw last season.