Ego Nwodim leaving Saturday Night Live after seven seasons

Ego Nwodim is leaving Saturday Night Live after seven seasons, marking another significant change to the long-running NBC sketch comedy series.

Nwodim, who joined the show in 2018 during Season 44, confirmed her exit ahead of the Season 51 premiere on October 4. She was the only new cast member added in her debut season and was promoted to repertory player ahead of Season 46.

“The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight,” Nwodim said in a statement. “But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne [Michaels], my castmates, writers, and crew. Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories, and that laughter, with me always.”

Her exit comes after the departures of Heidi Gardner, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker, adding to the shakeup in the SNL cast. Season 51 will feature 17 cast members, with recent additions including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

Nwodim became one of the most prominent female performers on SNL, creating memorable characters like Lisa from Temecula and Miss Eggy, and portraying celebrities including Dionne Warwick. Her sketches frequently went viral, cementing her as a fan favorite.

Outside of SNL, Nwodim has appeared in Peacock’s Poker Face, Mr. Throwback, and the Netflix film Little Brother alongside John Cena and Michelle Monaghan. Her growing screen career suggests she will continue pursuing film and television roles.

Her departure follows the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, a milestone that highlighted the legacy of past and present cast members.