After a massively successful and very popular 50th season, Saturday Night Live‘s next season is looking very different. And, as of now, one fan-favorite performer — and talented writer — will not return for another SNL season, but, as of this writing, it’s unclear if he quit or was fired.
Here’s what we know about the first confirmed SNL Season 51 departure, who is confirmed for the next season, and why we should expect the cast to be very different this time around.
Devon Walker will not return to SNL Season 51
“Me and baby broke up,” Devon Walker wrote in a caption to an Instagram post on Monday, August 25. In a lengthy note, the performer said he had mixed feelings about his time on SNL. “Sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell,” Walker wrote. “But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f*cked up lil family.”
Was Devon Walker fired from SNL?
As of this writing, it’s unclear if Walker left on his own or was let go by SNL boss Lorne Michaels. As pointed out by Variety, in his Instagram post, Walker even joked, “wait…did he quit or did he get fired?”
Right now, we don’t know which it was. Perhaps a little of both?
Related: Lorne Michaels Confirms 1 Returning ‘SNL’ Cast Member Amid Shakeup For Season 51
The cast of SNL 51 has only one confirmed star
As Lorne Michaels previously confirmed, James Austin Johnson, who has become very popular for his Donald Trump impression, will be in Season 51. But, beyond Johnson, Michaels has not confirmed any other returning cast members. Longtime Weekend Update anchor Michael Che has hinted that he may not be returning to the show.
Some fans also think that Heidi Gardner might not return to the show, as she seemed very emotional in the finale of Season 50.
According to an interview with Puck, Michaels will confirm the cast of SNL Season 51 in “a week or so.”
SNL Season 51 is set to debut on NBC on October 4, 2025.
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