Overview

• Heidi Gardner is departing after eight seasons, ending the tenure of Season 50’s longest-serving female cast member, according to multiple outlets.
• Michael Longfellow said he will not return for a fourth season, writing on Instagram that he wishes he were coming back but is grateful for the past three years.
• Earlier this week, Devon Walker announced his exit after three seasons and described parts of his experience as “toxic as hell,” while one-season player Emil Wakim called his non-return a “gut punch” phone call.
• Writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker are also leaving, with Yim noting their five-year run and status as the show’s first out trans writer.
• Lorne Michaels recently said he would “shake things up,” confirmed James Austin Johnson will return, and indicated more roster news is imminent ahead of the Oct. 4 NBC and Peacock premiere.