Bowen Yang, one in every of Saturday Evening Reside‘s foremost solid members and comedy fan favourite, is reportedly leaving the sketch comedy collection after seven years with the present. He began out as a author earlier than being promoted to a repertory participant.
In keeping with Deadline, Bowen, 35, will take his remaining bow in the course of the December 20, 2025, episode, whereas his Depraved co-star Ariana Grande hosts.
So, why is Bowen leaving SNL now? Here’s what we all know to date about his midseason departure.
When Is Bowen Yang Leaving Saturday Evening Reside?
Bowen’s final episode on SNL will likely be on December 20, 2025, in keeping with Deadline. He’s leaving amid the vacation break.
Why Is Bowen Yang Leaving SNL?
Bowen has not publicly commented on his exit on the time of publication. His motive for leaving midseason continues to be unclear, although he’s needed to miss a couple of episodes, primarily to advertise the 2 Depraved movies final 12 months and this previous fall.
Regardless of some followers being shocked by the information, Bowen’s exit has truly been a subject of dialogue. Whereas chatting with Individuals in September 2025 — amid a extremely publicized solid shakeup — the Depraved actor mentioned that he felt he nonetheless “had extra to do” on SNL and needed to remain.
“I’ve all the time passed by the intuition of, do I’ve extra to do? And I really feel like I do,” Bowen instructed the outlet. “[Creator] Lorne [Michaels] was like, ‘You have got extra to do,’ and meaning loads, as a result of I even confessed to him… ‘I really feel the viewers is possibly getting sick of me.’ And he was like, ‘That’s not true. There’s extra so that you can do. I want you.’”
Bowen added that he had “to honor that,” referring to what Lorne instructed him. He additionally credited the SNL creator with giving his leisure profession a springboard.
“That man has modified my life, and I owe a variety of my life to that present,” Bowen continued. “And I really like working there, the persons are one of the best. I actually love every of them a lot.”
Who Else Left SNL?
Fairly a couple of fan-favorite SNL gamers left the present forward of its 51st season. Amongst them have been Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim.
When Ego’s exit made headlines, she addressed her departure in a heartfelt Instagram put up in September 2025. She wrote, “The toughest a part of an awesome get together is figuring out when to say ‘goodnight.’ However after seven unforgettable seasons, I’ve determined to go away SNL.”
Stating that she was “immensely grateful to Lorne for the chance,” Ego thanked her castmates, the writers and the SNL crew “for his or her brilliance, help and friendship.”
“Week after week on that stage taught me greater than I might have ever imagined, and I’ll carry these recollections, and that laughter, with me all the time,” she concluded.