Ego Nwodim has decided to leave the NBC show after seven seasons.
Deadline understands that Nwodim made the decision after it was thought that the cast for Season 51 was set and ready to go ahead of its October 4 return.
“But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL.
RELATED: Ego Nwodim Was “Sincerely Stunned” By ‘SNL’ Audience’s Cursing In Response To Miss Eggy She also went viral with Lisa from Temecula, a lawyer whose predilection for overcooked meat has implications for the stability of her dining environment.
Watch a clip of Nwodim as that character here: Nwodim, who has also played Dionne Warwick and Edith Puthie on the show, was non-committal when asked earlier this year whether she would return for Season 51.
Exclusive: It appears that Saturday Night Live’s cast shuffle is far from over. After seven seasons, Ego Nwodim has made the decision to depart the NBC program.
As Deadline understands, Nwodim made the choice after it was believed that the Season 51 cast was finalized and prepared for the show’s October 4 return.
According to her, “knowing when to say goodnight is the hardest part of a great party.”. But after seven incredible seasons, I’ve made the decision to quit Saturday Night Live. I am incredibly appreciative of my co-stars, the writers, and the crew for their friendship, support, and genius, as well as to Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity. I learned more than I could have ever dreamed from spending week after week on that stage, and I will always cherish those laughs and the memories. “.”.
RELATED: Taking Charge and Upending Conventions: How Ego Nwodim Succeeded on “SNL” – Q&A.
Nwodim is expected to be in high demand after leaving; she has been starring in more shows in recent years, including Mr. Throwback and Peacock’s Poker Face, as well as the Netflix movie Little Brother, with John Cena, Eric André, and Michelle Monaghan. “A dream realized. In 2023, she told Deadline, “I want my other dreams to come true.”. In addition to doing more TV, I want to appear in movies. “.
One of Saturday Night Live’s most seasoned female cast members, Nwodim, left the show following the announcement that Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner, and Emil Wakim would not be returning for Season 51.
A pre-med student who participated in UCB, Nwodim joined the program in 2018 before Season 44, the only new character to appear that year. Ahead of Season 46, she was elevated to a regular player.
It comes as a bit of a shock considering that Nwodim has made a splash in recent seasons with her iconic performance as Miss Eggy earlier this year, which left viewers screaming in real time on TV following a call-and-response segment.
RELATED: The ridicule directed at Miss Eggy by the “SNL” audience left Ego Nwodim “sincerely stunned.”.
Additionally, she went viral with Lisa from Temecula, a lawyer whose love of overcooked meat threatens the stability of her dining space. Check out this video of Nwodim playing that role.
Earlier this year, Nwodim, who has previously portrayed Dionne Warwick and Edith Puthie on the show, remained evasive when asked if she would return for Season 51.
“Here, we prefer to keep things a mystery,” she told Deadline. That’s part of the appeal of Saturday Night Live; we have no idea what will happen from week to week, much less in the fall, so we can’t predict. “.”.
RELATED: Scarlett Johansson claims that Colin Jost will host “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live in Season 51.
However, given the number of A-list guests and SNL legends that appeared, the timing of her departure makes sense as it follows the show’s 50th anniversary, a significant milestone, which she acknowledged was a “surreal experience.”. Participating in the Domingo vow renewal sketch, Nwodim described being a member of that club as a “special honor.”.
Between the February 14 concert and the special, there was an event honoring Lorne. Heidi Gardner told me, “I thought there were 500 people in this cast, and I’m realizing there’s only a hundred-and-something of us ever to be in the cast.”. Being a member of that club or family is such a unique honor. “The 50th was very sentimental and lovely,” Nwodim remarked at a recent FYC function.
RELATED: There Were Hints That “SNL” Was Ending Please Don’t Destroy.
Michaels expanded the cast of Saturday Night Live to include Ben Marshall from Please Don’t Destroy, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, bringing the total number of cast members to 17.
Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline are among the featured players they join.
