SNL Veteran Departs After Toxic 3-Year Run

In the lead-up to the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, the long-running sketch comedy show is facing a significant cast shakeup. According to reports, a veteran cast member has departed the program after a 3-year tenure, describing their experience as "toxic as hell."

The comedian, who had been with SNL since 2022, announced their departure in an emotional social media post on August 25th, 2025. In the post, they reflected on the ups and downs of their time on the show, noting that while "sometimes it was really cool," the overall experience was marred by "dysfunction" and a "toxic" work environment.

Despite the challenges, the departing cast member expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside their colleagues, particularly "Gary and Alex." They also teased their future plans, stating that they are "bout to go to Japan" and are "tryna be in a prestige drama" upon their return, ideally with acclaimed actress Julianne Moore.

The news of this cast member's departure comes as SNL prepares to kick off its 51st season on October 4th, 2025. In a recent interview, the show's longtime producer, Lorne Michaels, hinted that viewers can expect "major cast changes" for the upcoming season, though he did not provide specifics.

Michaels explained that he had intentionally delayed significant cast turnover during the show's 50th anniversary season, wanting to maintain a sense of continuity and celebration. However, with the milestone year now behind them, the producer acknowledged that change is inevitable, noting that "you just never know what the future holds" for the long-running program.