For the first time in years, ‘SNL’ set to begin season without a Black woman in the cast

“Saturday Night time Dwell”’s latest forged turnover has left the present with out a Black girl in its forged, the nineteenth reported. 

On Friday, September 12, Ego Nwodim introduced she was leaving the NBC sketch comedy collection after seven seasons in a submit on Instagram. 

“The toughest a part of an awesome celebration is realizing when to say goodnight,” the 37-year-old comic wrote. “However after seven unforgettable seasons, I’ve determined to depart SNL.”

“I’m immensely grateful to Lorne for the chance, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for his or her brilliance, assist, and friendship,” she continued. “Week after week on that stage taught me greater than I might have ever imagined, and I’ll carry these recollections (and that laughter) with me all the time.”

She concluded her submit by saying, “Now invite me to your weddings to please!” 

Nwodim joined “SNL” in 2018 as a featured participant and was promoted to the repertory forged in 2020. Throughout her tenure, she grew to become identified for standout sketches, together with the viral “Lisa from Temecula,” her recurring “Miss Eggy” character, and a latest “Weekend Replace” second that led to the viewers cursing on reside TV.

The actress was solely the eighth Black girl to affix the forged full-time in 50 seasons, Selection reported. She is a part of a legacy that features Danitra Vance, the primary Black girl to be added to the repertory forged, and family names like Maya Rudolph, Sasheer Zamata, and Leslie Jones. 

One other Black forged member, Devon Walker, additionally exited after Season 50. 

Walker joined SNL as a featured participant in 2022, was promoted to repertory in 2024, and left the present in 2025 after three seasons.

In his departure announcement, he described SNL as “generally … poisonous as hell” though he mentioned the choice to depart was akin to a divorce.

“To me, jobs on this trade really feel like a bunch of little marriages,” he wrote on the time. “A few of em final for a very long time if we’re fortunate, however most of them are fleeting. Everlasting till they’re not. That’s the deal. You understand what it’s whenever you join.”

The modifications have drawn reactions from throughout the comedy world. Fellow “SNL” alum Punkie Johnson expressed shock, commenting, “Wtf is occurring… That is just like the departed.” 

In the meantime, comic Wanda Sykes weighed in on the forged shakeup throughout a latest look on the “Sherri” present hosted by Sherri Shepherd and what this may imply for Kenan Thompson, the present’s longest-serving forged member since 2003.

“Boy, Kenan’s gonna be in loads of wigs, huh?” she joked.