Why did Devon Walker leave SNL after 3 years? Reason explained

Devon Walker announced in late August 2025 that he would be leaving Saturday Night Live after three seasons. He shared the news on Instagram with a short and casual line,

“me and baby broke up”

And then added in a follow-up story, "just to be clear, this is good news!! it was just time for me to do something different.”

His post and a note on his Instagram story made clear he chose to move on rather than stay in a job that no longer fit him. Devon Walker’s words were open and direct.

He called parts of his time toxic as hell, but also spoke about the close bonds he formed with colleagues. Walker said working on SNL felt like a series of small relationships, some lasting a long time and others ending sooner.

He felt three years was the right amount of time, long enough to learn and grow and to know it was time to try something new. He announced plans to travel and to pursue more dramatic acting after he returns.

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Devon Walker’s Instagram post made the reason personal and simple

Devon Walker did not issue a formal press release. Instead, he used his own voice on social media, which made the announcement feel honest and low-key.

He posted a backstage photo and the brief caption, then added more in an Instagram Story and a note. That note answered the obvious question, quit or fired, by saying it was his choice. He asked fans not to feel sorry and framed the change as something he wanted.

Devon Walker described SNL as a place with highs and lows. He called some moments “really cool” and other moments toxic. That mix mattered to him: the good parts made the work worthwhile, while the bad parts made him ready to step away.

He compared jobs in entertainment to 'little marriages' to explain why a three-year span could be enough, explaining how they are 'permanent until they're not'. This poised description shows why his decision sounded personal rather than dramatic.

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He showed gratitude and sketched his next steps

Even while naming the hard parts, Devon Walker thanked people who helped him, including fellow comedians he named by choice. He celebrated the friendship and the teamwork that came out of performing and writing together.

For the near future, he said he would travel to Japan, and after that, he hopes to try more serious acting roles. He mentioned wanting to test himself in drama and hinted at projects he would like to pursue.

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His exit fits into a wider cast reshuffle at SNL

Devon Walker’s departure comes at a moment when the show is changing its lineup after the 50th season. Management and longtime producers have signaled that some cast and writing changes were expected heading into Season 51. Other staff and cast members have also left recently, which suggests Walker’s move is part of a broader shift rather than an isolated split.

His exit reads as a deliberate step. Walker left on his own terms, acknowledged both positives and negatives from his time on the show, and summarized a simple plan to rest, travel, and try different kinds of acting. That mix of honesty and planning made his message feel easy to understand.

Walker’s choice closes one chapter of his career and opens another. He leaves the weekly sketch format but retains the relationships and experience he gained; aiming now for parts that require a different set of skills.

Also Read: Why was Sinéad O’Connor banned from SNL?

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Devon Walker’s decision to leave SNL after three seasons looks like a personal choice made after honest reflection. He cited both creative satisfaction and difficult conditions, thanked colleagues, and said he wants to travel and pursue dramatic roles next.

His move also coincides with SNL's updates to its cast, so it reads as part of a larger reshaping of the show. For Walker, the step away from sketch comedy is meant to make room for new kinds of work.