SNL ostensibly finalized its season 51 cast earlier this month, though Ego Nwodim announced her departure a few days later. Other departing cast members include Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow,

SNL has a five-decades-long tradition of crafting Host lineups that welcome rising new talent alongside an ever-growing stable of returning stars. A prime example is comedian Nate Bargatze, who slam-dunked his Season 49 debut and got invited back for Season 50. With the premiere, Bad Bunny now officially joins that club.

The news follows a string of recent cast departures as the storied program prepares for its 51st season. Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow have said they're leaving the show. Multiple news outlets reported that cast mainstay Heidi Gardner was also departing the show.

Gardner joined the show as a featured player in 2017 and became a main cast member in 2019, making her the longest-running woman in the current cast. Wakim joined the show last year as a featured player and called his exit a “gut punch.”

One alum has won an Oscar. Another has a Grammy. Several have acquired Emmys and Tonys — and they all have been featured players in only a single season of Lorne Michaels' long-running sketch comedy series.

Across the show's slate of anniversary programming — The Anniversary Special, Beyond Saturday Night, The Homecoming Concert, 50 Years of SNL Music, and The Anniversary Special: Immersive Experience — SNL50 walked away with 24 nominations and nine wins in 2025.

Saturday Night Live has set its first three back-to-back shows for Season 51. The season kicks off on October 4 with Bad Bunny returning for his second turn as host, with Doja Cat in her musical guest debut.