Overview

• Heidi Gardner will not return for Season 51 after eight seasons, having joined in 2017 and been promoted to the repertory cast in 2019.
• Her departure follows exits by Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim and Devon Walker this week, with Walker describing parts of the workplace as “toxic as hell” in an Instagram post.
• Gardner had been the current cast’s longest-tenured woman and was a frequent presence in sketches, including popular Weekend Update characters.
• Executive producer Lorne Michaels indicated more changes are coming, with new hires expected to be named soon.
• NBC and the show have not commented on Gardner’s exit, and Season 51 premieres Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock, the largest pre-season turnover since 2022.