Pete Davidson will leave Saturday Night Live at the end of the 47th season this weekend. Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, and Kyle Mooney will join Davidson on stage.
The news of their departure indicates that the long-running show is preparing to recast and reset the show before the next season to introduce new characters. Since joining the group in 2012, McKinnon and Bryant have been mainstays on SNL, breaking the trend with their portrayals of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Senator Ted Cruz, respectively. Mooney arrived in 2013 and has since made a name for himself with his eccentric comedy. Davidson began the group as a relative unknown, but has since established himself as an underappreciated presence. All four cast members have become staples for the show over the years, and their departure leaves large shoes to fill.
Davidson’s hit “Weekend Update” contained impersonations of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and actor Rami Malek. Fans of the show are aware that his recurring character Chad would no longer be shown “live from New York” following his departure. Davidson will continue to work with NBC despite his departure, as he is set to star, co-write, and executive produce the new streaming sitcom Bupkis alongside Lorne Michaels.
In other news, the Duffer Brothers are said to have had a “total breakdown” over Stranger Things season 4 spoilers.
