Devon Walker, a cast member of the long-running sketch comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live’, has officially announced his decision to leave the show after three seasons. In a heartfelt farewell message posted on his Instagram account, Walker described the show as ‘toxic as hell’, reflecting on the challenges and dynamics of working within the entertainment industry. His departure comes amid a wave of other cast changes, including the exits of Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow, signaling a potential shift in the show’s direction.
Walker joined the show in 2022 as a featured player before being promoted to the main cast in 2024. His exit on Monday marked the first of several major cast changes ahead of Season 51. On Wednesday, Emil Wakim, who joined the show just one season ago, announced on Instagram he would not be returning, calling the news a ‘gut punch.’ On Thursday, several outlets reported that Michael Longfellow, who joined the show with Walker in 2022, would also be leaving. He later confirmed it on Instagram.
The casting changes come one week after series creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels revealed plans to ‘shake things up’ on the show under ‘pressure to reinvent this season.’ ‘It’ll be announced in a week or so,’ Michaels said Friday. So far, Michaels has only confirmed that cast member James Austin Johnson, best known for portraying President Donald Trump, would be returning.
In his farewell letter, Walker likened his experiences on the show to a ‘bunch of little marriages,’ noting that while some relationships last longer, most are fleeting. ‘Permanent until they’re not. That’s the deal. You know what it is…when you sign up,’ he wrote. Walker also expressed his aspirations for the future, stating his intention to pursue a ‘prestige drama’ ideally featuring Julianne Moore, and urged his followers to ‘stay hydrated and get some money today.’
The show’s ongoing changes and Walker’s candid remarks have sparked discussions about the pressures and dynamics within the entertainment industry, particularly in high-profile collaborations such as ‘Saturday Night Live.’ As the show prepares for Season 51, the departures and potential restructures highlight the evolving nature of the cast and the creative direction of the program under Lorne Michaels’ guidance.