The annual "Saturday Night Live" cast shakeup has officially begun.

Devon Walker indicated in an Aug. 25 post on Instagram that he is leaving the NBC sketch show after three seasons. The comedian shared a note addressing his exit, which was titled, "wait .. did he quit or did he get fired?"

"Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool," Walker wrote. "Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction."

Walker, 34, captioned the post, "me and baby broke up ." In an Instagram story, he described his departure as "good news," adding, "It was just time for me to do something different."

The comic has starred on "SNL" since 2022, when he joined the cast alongside fellow newcomers Michael Longfellow, Marcello Hernandez and Molly Kearney.

The announcement came after another change behind-the-scenes: On Aug. 24, Celeste Yim announced their departure as a writer for "SNL" after five seasons. In an Instagram post, Yim, who joined in 2020, said the job "literally made all of my dreams come true," even though it was "grueling and I slept in my office every week."

"SNL" typically says goodbye to some members of its cast, while bringing in new blood, during the hiatus between seasons. Most recently, Molly Kearney, Punkie Johnson and Chloe Troast left the show in 2024, between Season 49 and Season 50, while Jane Wickline, Ashley Padilla and Emil Wakim were added. Troast said the exit wasn't her decision and that she was "not asked back."

"I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there, it truly felt like home," Troast said. "But it wasn't in the cards."

"SNL" is coming off a landmark 50th season, which the show marked with a primetime special featuring many of its past stars. Leading into the finale of Season 50, speculation ran wild among fans about which cast members might be leaving. The season finale on May 17 featured no obvious send-off for a cast member to suggest it was anyone's last episode, but the show did poke fun at the theories.

During a monologue song, host Scarlett Johansson sang that "Sarah (Sherman) is leaving," only for Sherman, who was standing behind her, to act confused and concerned. Later, "Weekend Update" joked about speculation that Colin Jost might leave his role as an anchor to take over "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels' job.

In a recent interview with Puck, Michaels said it was necessary to keep the cast together through Season 50 in order to prevent any "disruptions," but he teased that changes were in store for Season 51. Michaels confirmed to Puck that at least one star will stick around, though: James Austin Johnson is returning and continue playing President Donald Trump, he said.

"SNL" is set to return with its Season 51 premiere on Saturday, Oct. 4.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Devon Walker to exit 'SNL' in first Season 51 cast departure: 'Toxic'

Reporting by Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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