Molly Kearney not returning to “Saturday Night Live” after 2 seasons: 'That's a wrap'
Kearney, the show's first nonbinary cast member, said they're "so incredibly grateful for this period in my life."
Molly Kearney has exited Studio 8H.
The Saturday Night Live star, who was the show's first nonbinary cast member, announced Friday on Instagram that they will not return for a third season of the sketch series in the fall.
“Yall that's a wrap on my time on SNL!" Kearney wrote. "Reflecting on the amazing 2 seasons I got on this show, it was such a dream come true. So incredibly grateful for this period in my life."
Colin Cauldwell/NBC/Getty
Molly Kearney on 'Saturday Night Live'Kearney's post contained images of them with SNL repertory players like Bowen Yang, Heidi Gardner, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, James Austin Johnson, and Mikey Day, as well as fellow featured players like Chloe Troast and Marcello Hernández.
"So much love to all my big hearted buddies behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week," they added. "So many bald caps, so little time. It was a true honor to work with such a talented group of writers and DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE CAST."
The comedian showed particular appreciation for their "day 1 crew" of Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Hernández, all of whom joined the series alongside Kearney in 2022 for season 48: "Head up and heart out!"
Kearney's announcement will come as a disappoint to many SNL fans who hoped to see them play Donald Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, during political sketches ahead of the 2024 presidential election, which would likely have seen them go toe-to-toe with Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris and JAJ's Trump.
Kearney recently performed a set at a stand-up comedy show headlined by Punkie Johnson, an SNL castmate who has also announced that she won't return for season 50. "SNL was a dream I didn't even know I could achieve," Johnson said in an Instagram video Thursday. "I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I'm so grateful. That's still my people."
Kearney memorably discussed their gender identity in a Weekend Update segment in 2023 that saw them drop into the desk via wires. "I've been wanting to come to Update and talk about trans people, but I have for a much longer time than that wanted to fly down from the ceiling," they said. "I'm not gonna lie, this harness is pretty tight and my groin area is beefed. I've been hung up on my genitals far too long, and I'm starting to feel like a frickin' Republican lawmaker!"
As they were lifted out of the studio, Kearney gave an address to trans kids that was equally impassioned and hilarious. "What's happening, kids, is wrong, and you don't need to be scared," they said. "Our job is to protect you, and your job is to focus on being a kid. It's kinda like me flying in the SNL sky: There's a bunch of dudes asking you about your crotch and controlling when and where you're allowed to pee. But if you just hang on, you'll look and realize: You're flying, kid!"
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So far, only Kearney and Punkie Johnson have announced that they won't be back for SNL's half-century anniversary season. Until we hear otherwise, expect current cast members Michael Che, Day, Andrew Dismukes, Gardner, Chloe Fineman, Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Longfellow, Sherman, Troast, Walker, and Yang to return for season 50.
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