Rookies Brooks Wheelan and John Milhiser will not be making their way back to Studio 8H this fall when Saturday Night Live returns to celebrate its 40th season on air. It’s no surprise, really, since Lorne and his creative team did not give the first-year players much screen time to begin with. What is surprising, however, is that second year featured player Nöel Wells has also been given the slip. She might not have bee as strong as other female SNL cast members like Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong, but she certainly showed promise here and there. It’s a shame we never got to see her Dana Brody.
Also exiting (after five seasons) is Nasim Pedrad who is moving on to star in the new Fox sitcom Mulaney. We won’t soon forget you, Bedelia and Shallon.
As SNL’s September premiere looms on the horizon, more casting changes are likely to be announced. Deadline reports that SNL writer turned featured player Michael Patrick O’Brien has a hazy future with the show; he may either get booted or return to writing duties behind the scenes.