Heidi Gardner exits SNL as cast shakeup targets 51st season

Heidi Gardner will not return to Saturday Night Live for its upcoming 51st season, multiple outlets confirmed late August, marking the latest and most notable exit in a wave of cast and staff changes at the longrunning NBC sketch series. The departures come as showrunner Lorne Michaels signaled a planned roster overhaul after the program’s 50th anniversary season.

Gardner, who joined SNL as a featured player in 2017 and was promoted to the main cast in 2019, completed eight seasons with the show. She was the longest tenured female cast member during Season 50 and was a frequent presence in sketches, including recurring Weekend Update characters such as teen movie critic Bailey Gismert and Angel, every boxers girlfriend. She also has recurring dramatic and comedic credits outside SNL, including a role on the Apple TV series Shrinking and appearances in films and other TV series.

Neither Gardner nor her representatives have issued an official statement about the departure, and reports differ on whether she chose to leave or was not asked back. Lorne Michaels had told Puck earlier in August that he planned to "shake things up" after the anniversary season, saying he delayed changes...