Cast shakeups between seasons are common for “Saturday Night Live,” but it’s still bittersweet when departures are announced.

Devon Walker , Emil Wakim , Michael Longfellow , and Heidi Gardner are all leaving the “SNL” cast ahead of season 51. Walker and Longfellow were both on the show for three seasons, while Wakim joined for season 50 last year. Gardner had the longest “SNL” tenure of the four, with eight seasons under her belt.

In an Instagram post , Wakim said it was “a gut punch” getting the call that he hadn’t been asked back for season 51. Longfellow also posted a statement noting that he wishes he was returning to “SNL.” Walker, meanwhile, called the departure “good news” for his career .

Gardner has yet to address her exit. It’s unclear whether she chose to leav

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