In a surprising turn of events for Saturday Night Live‘s 51st season, Bowen Yang, one of the show’s standout talents, is set to depart after this weekend’s holiday episode.

Reports indicate that Yang will be making his exit from the NBC hit following the December 20 episode. This episode will see Yang’s Wicked co-star Ariana Grande hosting, along with a musical number by the legendary Cher.

Yang’s unexpected departure in the middle of the season follows a wave of exits from the show. Before the launch of Season 51, several cast members, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, John Higgins, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim, bid farewell to the series. Additionally, writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker also left prior to the fall debut.

Yang’s journey with Saturday Night Live began in 2018 when he joined as a writer. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a featured player the next year, and by Season 47, he was part of the main cast.

Over his tenure, Yang emerged as one of the show’s most dynamic performers, delighting audiences with memorable characters like Moo Deng and the Titanic iceberg. With 125 episodes under his belt, his talent earned him four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

The actor seemingly hinted earlier this year that his time on Saturday Night Live was winding down.

“SNL, it’s just this moving, living, breathing thing,” he told People in April of this year. “Especially after the 50th, I’m seeing what life after the show is like and how beautiful it is, and how so many people, no matter how long they were at the show, are just with their families and loving their lives and not letting the years take away any of that experience for them.”

Yang’s exit comes amid a busy year for the actor. He not only starred in the highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good, but he also starred in Overcompensating, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, The Wedding Banquet and more.

Now, he will take the stage one final time during this weekend’s Christmas episode, airing Saturday Dec. 20.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays on NBC and Peacock at 11:30 p.m.