Saturday Night Live: Cecily Strong won’t be back anytime soon

Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong walked away from the show halfway through season 48. Don’t expect the talented performer to be back in Studio 8H anytime soon.

Strong started last season in Los Angeles, working on her one-woman show and missing a handful of SNL episodes. When she did return on October 29, 2002, it wasn’t for long. Cecily Strong appeared in her final episode on December 17 after becoming the longest-tenured female cast member in Saturday Night Live history.

So what about a Cecily Strong cameo next season? Or maybe a turn as host? Don’t bet on it. According to Strong, the earliest she’ll be back on SNL will be for the 50th anniversary in 2025.

When asked about a timeline for returning, Strong told Variety “I would love to give it a bit more space. The 50th anniversary is coming up. I already feel like I know I’ll be back for that. So, I’m not in any rush.”

Strong ended her 10+ years on SNL as one of the show’s most versatile performers. It wouldn’t be a shock to hear that Lorne Michaels wanted Strong to host in season 49 or that she would pop up in a cameo role. Her former castmate Pete Davidson was lined up to host in season 48, just a year after leaving the show. The writers’ strike prevented that homecoming, but the Bupkis star likely has an open invitation for next season.

Cecily Strong knew it was time for her to leave Saturday Night Live

However, Strong clearly believes that a little time and space from SNL is best. But that’s not to say she doesn’t miss the gig or hold any ill will toward the show that made her a star.

“I miss a lot of it. I miss the people,” she admitted to Variety. “I miss the day-to-day being on the show. It’s the greatest job in the world, and to be part of that club that we’re all part of is… I can’t imagine a bigger honor, really, in my life. But I definitely felt like I’m done.”

Timing is everything in comedy. Cecily Strong applied the same philosophy to her decision to walk away from SNL on top.

“I think it’s even more rare at SNL to say goodbye in a happy mood,” she reflected. “It was very important to me that when I left it felt like a graduation as opposed to a divorce. And there were a couple of years there it could have gone the other way.”