Another season of Saturday Night Live is just around the corner, but not everyone will be back when the show returns. After a brief run, one cast member won't be back in Studio 8H as the show continues to shake things up both in front of and behind the camera.
Emil Wakim will not return for Saturday Night Live season 51. He joined the show last year as a featured player alongside Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline. Wakim scored near the bottom of season 50's screen time, which isn't surprising for a new cast member. However, he never seemed to gain traction throughout the year.
Wakim, 27, had already developed an impressive stand-up comedy career before joining Saturday Night Live in 2024. But that experience just did not translate to sketch comedy as Wakim did his best, albeit limited, work at the "Weekend Update" desk. His most notable sketch is probably "Immigrant Dad Talk Show" alongside Marcello Hernandez.
The comedian posted his reaction on Instagram, calling it a "gut punch" to receive the call that he wasn't asked back for season 51. Wakim said in part, "I was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things I believed in, and I’m excited for whatever chapter comes next. Here’s to making more art without compromise."
The news comes days after Devon Walker announced he won't be back on Saturday Night Live next season. Walker reflected on his SNL experience in a different way than Wakim, calling the atmosphere "toxic as hell" but noting some good comedy came out of the experience.
Lorne Michaels warned us that cast changes were coming. It's unclear if Walker and Wakim are the only ones leaving, as there is still time before the show's season premiere on October 4. Wakim's fellow featured players, Jane Wickline and Ashley Padilla, appear to be safe for now. Padilla especially should be safe given her strong performances throughout season 50.
For now, Wakim does not have anything else on the calendar. His website does not advertise any stand-up shows, nor does IMDb have anything listed upcoming for the comedian. But now that Wakim knows his Saturday Night Live fate, expect that to change in the coming months.