Saturday Night Live is going to be down a familiar face when it makes its return. Leslie Jones, who has been with SNL for five seasons, is leaving the late-night sketch comedy program.
The decision for Jones to leave was made by Jones herself. Since beginning on SNL in 2014, and even before then as a writer, Jones has seen her profile rise considerably. It’s being reported that she wants the time to explore these new opportunities which include a new Netflix special and movie offers. Jones just recently joined the ensemble cast of the Coming To America sequel.
Usually, the contract run for most SNL castmembers is seven seasons but the actors’ options are picked up every year, and the performers also can ask to be released early. Essentially this isn’t a case of bad blood, she just simply felt it was time to move on.
Jones began establishing herself on SNL with some buzzworthy appearances on Weekend Update and she’s known for doing some spot-on impersonations, most notably one of Whoopi Goldberg.
Season 45 of SNL premieres on September 28 with Woody Harrelson, in his fourth appearance as host, and musical guest Billie Eilish.
