NEW YORK — Heidi Gardner is leaving “Saturday Night Live” after eight seasons, according to multiple reports Thursday, marking the latest departure in a significant cast shakeup ahead of the long-running NBC sketch comedy series’ 51st season.

Gardner joined “SNL” in 2017 as a featured player and was promoted to the main cast in 2019. She becomes the most high-profile exit ahead of Season 51.

The comedian’s departure follows a wave of exits this week. Gardner is the fourth SNL cast member to leave the show in the past three days. 

Devon Walker revealed Monday he would be leaving the program after three seasons, Michael Longfellow is exiting the comedy series after three seasons, and Emil Wakim announced he had been let go from the show after just one season, telling followers Tuesday it was “a gut punch of a call to get.” Wakim joined alongside Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline last year as featured players. 

SNL writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker both also confirmed their departures from the show.

The cast changes come as the long-running sketch comedy show, which has aired since 1975, prepares for major transitions. Producer Lorne Michaels has teased big changes before Season 51.

Gardner was known for her memorable characters and impressions during her tenure on the show. Outside of “SNL,” she has recently appeared in Apple’s “Shrinking,” HBO’s “The Other Two” and the movie “Hustle” with Adam Sandler. 

No official statements have been released regarding the reasons for the departures or whether they were the performers’ decisions or the show’s.

NBC representatives were not immediately available for comment Thursday evening.

Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” is expected to premiere in fall 2025.