Overview

• Multiple outlets report Gardner will not return for Season 51, and NBC declined to make producers available for comment.
• Her departure follows public announcements this week from Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim that they are leaving the cast.
• Entertainment Weekly also reports writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker have exited ahead of the new season.
• Gardner, who joined in 2017, was last season’s longest-tenured female cast member and led Season 49 in sketch appearances, with standout Weekend Update characters like Bailey Gismert and Angel.
• Deadline notes she recently spoke about feeling “sketch fatigue” on Craig Ferguson’s podcast and had been in talks for an NBC pilot.
• Saturday Night Live Season 51 premieres Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock.