Longtime Saturday Night Live Cast Member Ego Nwodim Leaves After Seven Seasons

Ego Nwodim, a fan-favorite cast member of "Saturday Night Live," announced her departure from the show after seven seasons, expressing gratitude to Lorne Michaels, her castmates, writers, and crew for their support. She joined the show in 2018 and was promoted to main cast member in 2020, known for characters like Lisa from Temecula and her impersonations on recurring sketches. Her exit follows a larger shake-up in the SNL cast, including the departures of Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker, as the show aims to reinvent itself for its 51st season premiering October 4, 2025. While Nwodim chose to leave voluntarily, some castmates' exits were not by their own decision. Fans have reacted emotionally to her leaving, praising her talent and expressing both sadness and excitement for her future endeavors, which already include roles in television and voice acting. The show also announced new cast members to join the refreshed lineup as it seeks to regain its comedic edge under Michaels' guidance.