{"id":221519,"date":"2025-09-12T18:19:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/221519\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T18:19:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:19:15","slug":"ego-nwodim-leaving-saturday-night-live-in-latest-cast-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/221519\/","title":{"rendered":"Ego Nwodim leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’ in latest cast shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ego Nwodim<\/a>, a fan favorite on \u201cSaturday Night Live,\u201d announced Friday she\u2019s leaving the series after seven seasons. Her announcement comes after reports that the cast was set for Season 51<\/a>, which begins in October. <\/p>\n

Nwodim posted the news of her departure on Instagram<\/a> on Friday, writing: \u201cThe hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am immensely grateful to [producer] Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship,\u201d she continued. \u201cWeek 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for NBC confirmed the departure, saying Nwodim decided to pursue other opportunities.<\/p>\n

Nwodim had become a standout cast member since joining the show in 2018, playing well-known characters such as Lisa from Temecula<\/a> and recently, her stand-up comedian alter ego, Miss Eggy<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The viral popularity of some of her hit sketches, namely Lisa from Temecula, came as a surprise to Nwodim. Speaking to The Times<\/a> in 2023, she said: \u201cThere\u2019s something so magical about that, that you can\u2019t know what\u2019s going to work and what\u2019s going to hit hard,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd hit that hard \u2014 I could have never guessed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Nwodim played Rich Auntie with No Kids, another beloved character, during a \u201cWeekend Update\u201d segment with co-anchor Michael Che in 2023.<\/p>\n

(Will Heath \/ NBC)<\/p>\n

Outside of her time on the NBC sketch comedy show, Nwodim had appeared in several television series, including \u201cPoker Face,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s Florida, Man,\u201d \u201cMr. Throwback\u201d and \u201cGood Times.\u201d She\u2019s also set to appear in the upcoming Netflix comedy film \u201cLittle Brother\u201d with John Cena.<\/p>\n

Other cast members departing from \u201cSNL\u201d this season are Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim. <\/p>\n

There are also five newcomers<\/a> joining the cast: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. Marshall was previously on the \u201cSNL\u201d writing staff and is known for his on-camera appearances as a part of the Please Don\u2019t Destroy comedy trio.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear whether any other cast members could still announce departures. Bowen Yang, who joined the cast in 2019 after spending a year on the writing staff, said in an episode of his podcast \u201cLas Culturistas\u201d<\/a> released Wednesday that he is \u201cthrilled to go back\u201d and will \u201cmiss people who are not coming back very, very much\u201d before he and his co-host, Matt Rogers, commended Gardner\u2019s legacy on the series.<\/p>\n

Chloe Fineman, who also joined the cast in 2019, said in a recent interview with Extra TV<\/a> that the changes to the cast were \u201cpretty wild.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome shocking stuff. A little heartbreak, sadness. I haven\u2019t fully processed anything, but I will say the show has such a turnover,\u201d she said. \u201cYou always experience [turnover], but these people stay in your lives, and I am excited for the new people.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 51st season of \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d premieres Oct. 4.<\/p>\n