“Saturday Night Live” is undergoing a significant cast shake-up ahead of its highly anticipated 51st season, which is set to premiere on NBC on October 4. The roster refresh at Studio 8H includes the departure of four cast members: Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim. This wave of exits follows a landmark 50th anniversary season, which was celebrated with documentaries, a Radio City Music Hall concert special, and a three-hour telecast featuring numerous “SNL” legends, setting the stage for potential new additions as showrunner Lorne Michaels looks to pave the way for a fresh ensemble.

Heidi Gardner, a prominent figure on “SNL” for eight seasons, marks the latest and most tenured departure among the group. She was the longest-serving current female cast member in Season 50 and distinguished herself by appearing in more sketches than any other cast member in Season 49. Gardner became widely recognized for her memorable “Weekend Update” characters, including the quirky teen movie critic Bailey Gismert and Angel, famously dubbed “every boxer’s girlfriend from every movie about boxing ever.” Beyond her “SNL” tenure, Gardner also showcased her versatility in projects like “Shrinking” alongside Jason Segel, “The Other Two,” and the Adam Sandler basketball movie “Hustle.”

Michael Longfellow, who joined “SNL” in Season 48, is also exiting the show after three seasons. He gained recognition for his sardonic segments on “Weekend Update,” often engaging in banter with Colin Jost on various topics, including Real ID and his experiences with conservative family members. Longfellow confirmed his departure on Instagram on August 28, expressing profound gratitude for his time: “Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes. It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there. Lorne, you gave me the greatest job in the world and changed my life.”

Devon Walker, another cast member who joined in 2022 and departs after three seasons, made headlines with his candid Instagram announcement on August 25. He was best known on the show for his impressions of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Michael Strahan. In his farewell post, Walker reflected on his time, stating, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a fucked up lil family.” He later playfully responded to fan support, quip-ping on X, “Y’all acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs.”

Emil Wakim, a newcomer from Season 50, was let go after just one season. During his brief but impactful tenure, Wakim was known for portraying characters such as Luigi Mangione and Mohammad bin Salman in a sketch alongside James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump. He also made a notable “Weekend Update” debut discussing his Christian Arab heritage and challenging common misconceptions. Wakim described his exit as “a gut punch of a call to get,” but expressed gratitude for his time: “Every time I scanned into the building I would think how insane it is to get to work there. It was the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding experience of my life and I will miss it dearly and all the brilliant people that work there that made it feel like a home.” He concluded by expressing excitement for his next chapter and “making more art without compromise.” The collective departures underscore a significant shift as “Saturday Night Live” prepares for its new season.