Noel Wells and John Milhiser are the latest performers leaving “Saturday Night Live,” a person with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. The news follows Monday’s departure of fellow former freshman player Brooks Whelan.
Nasim Pedrad is also officially exiting the sketch comedy show — her departure is due at least in part to her commitment to Fox comedy “Mulaney.” That casting move was not unexpected.
Also read: Brooks Wheelan Not Returning to ‘Saturday Night Live’
Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett and Mike O’Brien were also brought on in the beginning of Milhiser’s, Wells’ and Wheelan’s only year on the long-running NBC show. Decisions have yet to be made on the future of that first trio, though Mooney and Bennett appeared from the beginning to be the most likely to return as cast members. O’Brien came from the writing staff.
First year players tend to work under one-year contracts at “SNL.”
Colin Jost replaced Seth Meyers behind the “Weekend Update” desk mid-season. Other casting decisions are expected in August.
Also read: Kristen Wiig’s Famed ‘SNL’ Gilly Character Hits Freezers Compliments of Ben and Jerry’s
This past season saw some of the highest turnover in the NBC comedy show’s storied history. New cast members were somewhat overshadowed by a midseason media drama, which saw “SNL” getting grief for not having a black woman in its cast. Following several under-wraps auditions, Sasheer Zamata was hired. Leslie Jones and LaKendra Tookes — also black women from the auditions — were brought on as writers.
“Saturday Night Live” is celebrating its 40th anniversary this upcoming season, with a special three-hour tribute set to air in February 2015 to commemorate the event.