Overview

• Emil Wakim said he will not return after one season, calling it “a gut punch of a call to get” in a post confirming his exit.
• Devon Walker announced on Aug. 25 that he is leaving after three seasons, describing his experience as “sometimes… toxic as hell” and leaving whether he quit or was let go ambiguous.
• Writer Celeste Yim confirmed their departure after five seasons, calling the job a dream that was also “grueling,” and noting they often slept in the office.
• Lorne Michaels told Puck he intends to “shake things up” for Season 51, with casting decisions to be revealed shortly, and confirmed James Austin Johnson will continue as Donald Trump.
• Season 51 premieres Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock, with further cast and staff changes expected in the late-summer recalibration.