Curious about the latest shakeups at Saturday Night Live? As SNL enters its 51st season, confirmed cast changes have fans buzzing about who might take the stage next. With Michael Che and Devon Walker exiting, speculation about Colin Jost’s future is only growing.
Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed exits, rumored departures, and what it all means for SNL’s new chapter.
Rumors of Colin Jost leaving SNL explained
Rumors about Colin Jost leaving Saturday Night Live have gained traction as the show prepares for its Season 51 premiere.
Speculation follows recent comments from SNL boss Lorne Michaels, who confirmed that a cast shakeup is imminent. Michaels told Puck News, “Yes,” when asked if he planned to “shake things up,” adding that he feels “pressure to reinvent this season” and promised announcements “in a week or so.”
The showrunner explained why the 50th season was kept stable: “I wanted people coming back and being part of [the 50th season] . And that meant there couldn’t be those kinds of disruptions or anything that was going to take the focus off [the 50th season] . And we had an election.” With that milestone complete, Michaels confirmed that major changes are now unavoidable.
Uncertainty began after Devon Walker, who joined in 2022, announced his departure via Instagram. Walker wrote: “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction.” Fellow cast members Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner publicly reacted to his exit with supportive comments.
Adding to the uncertainty, longtime Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Che suggested at a stand-up set earlier this year: “I’m not coming back, don’t worry. I’m done, it’s over for me.” While Che has joked about leaving before, his remarks prompted questions about whether Colin Jost would also step down. Reports note that both Che and Jost have hinted that Season 50 may have been their last.
Writer Celeste Yim also confirmed their departure, stating on Instagram: “After five seasons, I’m leaving my job at Saturday Night Live. Lorne [Michaels] hired me over the phone when I was 23 and the job literally made all of my dreams come true.”
James Austin Johnson has confirmed his return, while Colin Jost’s future remains uncertain.
