The Nigerian-American comedian shared the news on Instagram, making her one of the longest-serving cast members to exit ahead of Season 51.
Nigerian-American comedian and actress Ego Nwodim has announced her departure from Saturday Night Live after seven seasons.
She revealed the news on Instagram just hours after NBC confirmed the final cast list for Season 51. Her exit makes her the fifth cast member confirmed to be leaving ahead of the show’s October 4 premiere.
“The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight,” Nwodim wrote. “But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week 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.”
Nwodim joined SNL as a featured player in 2018 and was promoted to the repertory cast in 2020. She is the second-longest-serving cast member to exit ahead of the new season, after Heidi Gardner, who left following eight seasons. Over her tenure, Nwodim became known for a range of characters, most notably her recurring role as Lisa from Temecula.
Season 51 will feature a reshuffled lineup. Ben Marshall has been promoted to featured cast, while new additions include Veronika Slowikowska, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Tommy Brennan.
The updated cast now totals 17 members: Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang, along with featured players Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.
Outside SNL, Nwodim has been building her screen presence with roles in Poker Face, Mr. Throwback, and Little Brother, signaling a broader career beyond sketch comedy.